PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution this evening denied news reports that only three out of the so-called ‘Sabah 12' were suspended from the party for attempting to register a rival party known as Parti Cinta Sabah.

pkr congress agm kota baru 300510 saifuddin When contacted, Saifuddin said the party supreme council resolved yesterday to endorse its disciplinary committee’s recommendation that all the 12 members involved be handed a one-year suspension backdated to Jan 4.

Saifuddin ( right ) explained the backdating was necessary because the party’s correspondence with the Registrar of Societies confirmed that the registration for the Parti Cinta Sabah was withdrawn on that date.

"The 12 members have seven days to appeal. The faster they submit their appeals, then the sooner we can consider them," said Saifuddin.

He added the party supreme council was prepared to expedite their appeal process in order not to prejudice the 12 individual’s involvement in party elections later this year.

He said letters informing the 12 individuals of their suspensions had been sent out via a courier service and was expected to reach them by Wednesday after the National Day public holiday tomorrow.

Two appeals received

Saifuddin revealed he had already received two appeal letters as of this afternoon.

Previously, it was reported that the PKR supreme council had rejected its disciplinary committee’s decision to suspend the 12 instead suspending only three while handing the rest a warning.

The 12 are aligned to PKR vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan and the move to suspend the 12 sparked speculation that it was a move to foil their party election bids.

Saifuddin denied these rumours and said that the decision to suspend the 12 was done in accordance to party rules.