PKR purge: Wanita deputy says party protecting powers of unelected leaders

Wanita PKR deputy chief Daroyah Alwi has criticised the party leadership's mass sacking and suspension of members.

The purge is mostly targeted against supporters of former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali who defected to Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Among those suspended is Daroyah's boss, Lembah Jaya assemblyperson Hanizah Talha, who is the Wanita PKR chief.

Daroyah (above), who is the Sementa assemblyperson, acknowledged that the PKR leadership council has absolute power to sack or suspend members but questioned the decision.

"Even though the central leadership council has 20 elected members, but it is clearly going against the principles of democracy to maintain power in the hands of a few leaders appointed by the party president.

"The party leadership claims the move (sackings and suspension) is based on the disciplinary board's recommendation but the central leadership council is the ultimate decider.

"The central leadership council should act in a transparent and rational manner," she said in a statement.

Daroyah said 348 members had been sacked and another 285 were suspended.

"I am deeply disappointed and regret the disciplinary action by PKR against members who have supposedly betrayed the party or breach party ethics.

"Among the victims include Haniza (below) and a number of women leaders at the state and division levels."

"This gives a picture that the party does not appreciate their long-time contributions," she said.

Daroyah said she represented PKR members dissenting over the leadership's purge as they involve "innocent" members.

"We ask that this injustice cease immediately," she said.

The Harapan government collapsed in late February after Bersatu's Muhyiddin Yassin took the party out of the coalition and joined forces with a group of PKR defectors led by Azmin.

Together with BN, PAS, GPS and other minor parties, they formed the new PN government. - Mkini