2,000 quit? It’s more like 30, Sng says of PBM defections

 The Parti Bangsa Malaysia president rubbishes claims of 'exodus' to Wawasan by youth wing members.

PBM president Larry Sng said only about 30 members have left, contrary to a claim by now-former youth wing chief Hanis Asmui. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Parti Bangsa Malaysia president Larry Sng has rubbished a claim that more than 2,000 members of the party’s youth wing had quit to join Wawasan.

“Two thousand PBM youth members quit? It’s actually closer to just 30 members,” he said in a Facebook post today, using the Malay term “Pandai-pandai syok sendiri” (good at self-deception).

The post came after PBM Youth chief Hanis Asmui announced the “immediate dissolution” of the party’s Youth wings at the central, state and division levels.

MalaysiaGazette reported Hanis as saying the decision was made unanimously and voluntarily.

Hanis, who also resigned as PBM Youth chief, Johor deputy chairman and Muar division chief, said the move followed growing disillusionment with the party’s leadership, which he claimed had eroded the members’ confidence.

He said this stemmed from several statements by senior party leaders that he described as shallow and confusing, particularly on religious and racial issues.

“We believe the existing leadership no longer reflects the aspirations of members at the grassroots level and has failed to show a serious commitment to the comprehensive reforms that are greatly needed at this time,” he was quoted as saying.

Hanis said they had chosen Wawasan because it offered a broader agenda for political stability and could bridge differences among races, and unite Malay parties such as PAS and Umno.

“We see Wawasan as a major agenda for political stability and a bridge to unite Malay political parties such as PAS and Umno. At the same time, it can bridge the racial divide in Malaysia,” he said. - FMT