Four PKR leaders among members suspended, 348 others booted - Fahmi

Four PKR leaders are among 285 members suspended by the party's’ central leadership council following recommendations from the party’s disciplinary board.

In a statement on social media, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the party also booted 348 other members based on decisions reached during council meetings on March 21 and April 26.

According to Fahmi, the four suspended leaders are PKR Women’s chief Haniza Mohamed Talha (Pandan), former Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin (Permatang Pauh), central leadership council member Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin (Subang) and Sabah Women's chief Rahimah Majid (Kudat).

The party initiated a disciplinary probe against those known to be aligned with former party deputy Mohamed Azmin Ali after he triggered the "Sheraton Move" in late February, which led to the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.

It is called the "Sheraton Move" as Azmin's faction met with Umno and PAS MPs at the hotel on the night of Feb 23, which was the catalyst for the chain of events resulting in the change of government.

Azmin eventually quit the party to join forces with Bersatu, Umno and PAS to form Perikatan Nasional, which took over the country’s leadership.

“Up to 348 members have been sacked. The central leadership council has also temporarily suspended the membership of 285 members in accordance with clause 41.6 of the party's constitution.

“The disciplinary board is examining every complaint and evidence against them and will recommend further action to the council,” Fahmi said today.

Among the members given the axe include party Youth vice-chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus (Rembau), Women's information chief Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah (Masjid Tanah), Muhammad Jailani Khamis (Alor Gajah), See Chee How (Stampin), and Bentong branch chairperson Vernon Albert Kedit (Betong).

Meanwhile, Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said former Batu MP Tian Chua was among five members slapped with show-cause letters.

“PKR will continue the process of restoring the party following the episode of betrayal which brought upon the downfall of a government legitimately elected through the people’s mandate.

“PKR believes following this, the party will be stronger in its reformasi agenda,” he added.

Malaysiakini earlier reported that Edmund Santhara, who is deputy Federal Territories minister, had thanked PKR president Anwar Ibrahim for sending him a PKR termination letter on the former’s birthday on Apr 3.

However, Fahmi later rebutted, staying that it was Santhara who quit the party on Feb 24, and the letter was merely an acknowledgement of that fact.

 - Mkini