PKR directs MPKK to suspend all services with Afif

The Village Development and Security Council (MPKK) in Seberang Jaya, Penang, has been issued a directive to cut ties with assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin.

A letter sent to the MPKK on May 4 by Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman referred to Afif's suspension from PKR.

Afif (photo) was suspended from PKR on April 14, as he and several others were known to be aligned with former party deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who triggered the "Sheraton Move" in February.

The move, which included a meeting with Umno and PAS leaders, was a prelude to the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.

"Due to his suspension from PKR, the MPKK has ended its services with Dr Afif.

"All services related to MPKK in Seberang Jaya will be referred to Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is also division head," said Zakiyuddin in the letter.

The directive was effective on May 4.

Zakiyuddin, who is also Pinang Tunggal PKR elected representative, oversees the MPKK in the state executive council.

Other than Nurul Izzah, the letter was also copied to Kamarul Haizal Koderat, Central Seberang Perai district officer, and Ambika Devi Daran, the assistant senior secretary (general administration and security) in the state secretariat.

Afif, a former Penang executive councillor, who quit his post in March, had declined to comment.

When contacted, Zakiyuddin said the letter was issued by his office as an administrative procedure to have a clear directive.

"Only the MPKK services are suspended as far as that letter is concerned," Zakiyuddin told Malaysiakini.

"Afif is still an assemblyperson and enjoys his rights and benefits as an elected representative," he added.

Asked if Afif could function properly as an assemblyperson with such services suspended, Zakiyuddin replied, "Naturally".

He said all assemblypersons receive a monthly budget and service centre allowance.

"He (Afif) has to make do as an opposition.

"In Penang, the opposition receives some allocation through the District Office," Zakiyuddin said.

Asked if the state executive council chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has approved the decision, Zakiyuddin said the protocol applies to all opposition assemblypersons.

"If I do it differently, only then I need an exco decision," he said. 

Meanwhile, Penang PKR chief Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the letter was sent to MPKK and not to Afif.

"The letter from the (PKR) disciplinary board stated that he (Afif) can no longer represent the party," added the Balik Pulau MP. - Mkini