Several members of Penang PKR want Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin to explain what he meant when he said leaders accused of wrongdoing should go on leave.
Although Shamsul, the PKR information chief, did not refer to anyone in particular, the remark is believed to be aimed at his party's deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is implicated in a sex video scandal.
Taman Sri Indah PKR John Ooh chief John Ooh said in a statement today that the members of his division prepared a number of questions for Shamsul to clear the confusion.
"Should you also go on temporary leave as you were also called up by authorities to assist in the investigations into the sex video involving your aide?
"Since you feel that a leader should go on leave due to police investigations, shouldn't you also do the same?
"This is to show leadership by example based on your statement about the video," he added.
Shamsul's former aide, Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz, had confessed to being one of the two men seen in the video.
Ooh's remarks comes amid an open verbal war between factions in PKR loyal to Azmin and party president Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar went a step further to ask Azmin to quit as economic affairs minister if the sex videos are authentic, prompting the latter to respond by saying "he must look at the man in the mirror."
'Questioning authorities'
Ooh claimed that by asking leaders accused of wrongdoing to go on leave, Shamsul was in effect questioning the ability of the police to conduct an impartial investigation.
Echoing this was PKR member Mohd Fitri Ibrahim, who said Shamsul's answers to the questions would be welcome.
"As a party which champions justice and democracy, PKR leaders must take heed and engage with grassroots members over an issue which now threatens to tear us apart," he said.
"Shamsul's statement needs further explaining, as grassroots members feel caught between two big factions.
"But it is good to remember that it is important that the party remains united in this challenging time."
Carolyn Khor, the Wanita PKR communications chief, called on party leaders to let rationality prevail.
"Issuing statements to attack one another confuses members, especially grassroots who have come along way to defend PKR when it was a new party in 1999. Many have sacrificed time and family to see PKR become what it is today," she told Malaysiakini.
"It is true, there are many questions which need answers, but what is more important now is for the party to unite, reject gutter politics but at the same time be transparent, as this is 'New Malaysia'.
"Let's all wait for the police to end their investigations before we decide on the next steps. "
On Monday, Haziq and five others were arrested over the distribution of obscene material and committing carnal intercourse.
On Tuesday, three more individuals, including one of Anwar's aides, were arrested in connection to the case. - Mkini
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