1 SACKED, 3 ISSUED WARNING LETTERS
Action taken against a Youth member, minister and 2 MPs following complaints
ONE PKR member has been sacked while a minister and two members of parliament have been slapped with warnings by the party’s Complaints, Appeal and Disciplinary Committee.
G. Puvinthiran, an exco member with the party’s Youth wing, was issued a termination letter by the secretary-general’s office, while Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Hulu Selangor MP June Leow Hsiad Hui were issued warning letters.
The committee, which announced this yesterday, said Puvinthiran was given marching orders for a fight that broke out in Kedah during the state polls on Sept 27.
The decision followed the five reports lodged by Merbok division members and witnesses claiming that the fight had, among others, caused the polls to be postponed.
The disciplinary bureau issued show-cause letters to those who were detained by the police.
According to a statement uploaded on the PKR polls website, the three other MPs were given warning letters.
The statement, however, did not specify the nature of the complaints lodged against Xavier and Leow, who are vying for a seat in the central leadership council.
Complaints were lodged against Akmal, who defended his position as Johor Baru PKR chief, following claims that its candidate for the women’s wing chief had gone bankrupt.
“The matter has been referred to the secretary-general’s office. However, the polls results for Johor Baru remain, and they are final,” the statement read.
Akmal has been accused by contender Richard Tan of “coaching” members on polling day. He has, however, denied the allegation. Thirteen complaints were listed by the committee, but only four were referred for action.
It stated that the disciplinary committee met on Oct 17 and made its decision only yesterday. The committee said all decisions were final as provided for by the party’s election procedures.
When contacted by the New Straits Times Press yesterday, the party’s Central Election Committee member, Ismail Yusop, said the warnings were part and parcel of any election process. “The committee can make its decision without calling these members because it only involved minor violations of election ethics.”
“However, when the allegations dealt with disciplinary issues, the committee would call the involved parties for statements.”
“If the party is found guilty, action will be taken.”
The party election that began on Sept 22 has been riddled with technical problems and allegations of misconduct.
Internal complaints and police reports have been lodged over a number of issues, including membership irregularities, phantom voters and ballots that were not registered.
Xavier is aligned with PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, while Leow and Akmal are aligned with Azmin’s competitor, Rafizi Ramli.