PETALING JAYA: PKR vice-president Tian Chua today urged the party’s disciplinary board to retract the sacking of two members, including a central committee member, who were expelled on the advice of the country’s anti-graft agency.
In a statement just a day after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it was wrong to have given a report of wrongdoing to a political party, he called for due process to be carried out and for PKR to resolve the issue in the spirit of comradeship.
“As a party founded upon the movement for reform and justice, it is rather unfortunate that such heavy-handed action has been employed,” he said.
“To expel a member is a very serious matter, especially if the action is taken against a veteran party activist who is also an elected central leadership council member.
“It is unacceptable that anyone could be sacked without prior notice and without being given an opportunity to defend themselves.”
Bera PKR division leader Zakaria Abdul Hamid and ordinary member Ismail Dulhadi were dismissed following an MACC investigation into allegations of corruption against them.
PKR disciplinary chairman Ahmad Kassim said MACC had written to the party on Oct 23 about the alleged misconduct during last year’s party elections, while the party’s communications director, Fahmi Fadzil, said MACC had advised the party to look into the matter and take the necessary disciplinary action.
However, Zakaria said he had not been informed about any report lodged against him with the disciplinary board, and he accused the party of acting without hearing his defence.
In a statement, Tian Chua said the “alleged incident of ‘wrongdoing'” had happened more than a year ago. He also questioned the “sudden need” to rush through such “drastic action”.
“We were told that the disciplinary board ‘just’ received a note from MACC. If so, why couldn’t the disciplinary board allow a proper duration for thorough discussion and investigation?
“As it stands, their action can also be read as improperly hasty and targeted, without due process of notifying members of their intention as well as giving the accused a chance to speak to the charges.”
He added that his experience in previous meetings with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was that the latter would normally prefer “a less harsh action” such as the suspension of membership or a request for show-cause rather than immediate and outright sacking.
Yesterday, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said agency officials had made a mistake in advising PKR to take action against Zakaria and Ismail.
He said MACC was only required to send reports of wrongdoing to government agencies or ministries, not to political parties.
He also said the agency would send a letter of clarification to the PKR disciplinary board chairman so that future misunderstandings would not arise. - FMT
This is very easy to comprehend. You are the advisor to the Minister of Works, Baru Bian. Zakaria was his former aide. It is not difficult to see why you are so "gung ho" about him being sacked despite his wrongdoing. You are all in cahoot. I do know what has got into you. You use to question the misdeeds of the previous government. Tian Chua, do not be blind with power and position. Your bf Koya is in MACC. That is her department to determine the act of corruption. Go ask her then!
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