PKR’s disciplinary committee has called for 12 of its party members to be sacked for standing as Independents or giving assistance to opposing parties in the Sarawak state polls.

NONE In a statement, committee chairperson Tan Kee Kwong ( right ) published a list of nine that he said should be sacked for standing as Independent candidates in the state elections due to be held next Saturday.

These include Soo Lina from the Stampin division, who stands as candidate for the seat of Batu Lintang, Cobbold Lusai    from the Sri Aman division who is contesting in Balai Ringin and Kiprawi Suhaili of Tanjong Manis, who is a candidate in the Belawai constituency.

Also in the list were George Langgong, of Hulu Rajang (contesting the Pelagus seat), Michael Jok from Hulu Rajang (standing in Belaga), Kenneth Adan Silek of Hulu Rajang (Belaga), Liam Rengga from the Bintulu (Kemena), Michael Ding Tuah of Miri (Marudi) and Jok Ding from Baram (Telang Ussan).

Another three PKR members were listed by Tan as being recommended to be sacked for helping opposing parties that have fielded candidates in the state poll, namely Paul Kadang Dinggat from the Saratok division, Jonson Chong from Kelana Jaya and Hasrul Muhaimin Hasbi from Alor Setar.

Tan said the committee’s decision was in line with Article 18 of the party constitution, and was aimed at defending the interests and image of the party.

“The act of contesting as a candidate or helping an opposing party is an act of betrayal to the struggle of Keadilan and Pakatan Rakyat.”

PKR 'should check their records'

In a response to the decision, Chong said it was not right for PKR to accuse him of helping rival parties when he was assisting the Sarawak National Party (SNAP).

jonson chong johnson chong "Don't they recognise SNAP has joined the opposition alliance? The PKR wants to grab many seats but which party is homegrown? Who do Sarawakians really want?" Bernama reported him as saying.

Chong ( left ) said he was only helping SNAP behind the scenes and had not revealed himself or criticised PKR openly.

"This is not wrong. It is just that PKR does not want to cooperate but Snap is cooperating with PAS and the DAP," he said.

PKR and SNAP were locked in a bitter seat dispute.

PKR had insisted that it had better qualified candidates for Iban-majority areas. It is fielding 49 candidates, many clashing with SNAP's bid in 26 constituencies.

Kadang, meanwhile, is said to have tendered his resignation from PKR several months ago to join Snap.

Snap secretary-general Stanley Jugol said Kadang was now his deputy.

"I think it has been almost six months now. Actually, he resigned first from PKR," he told Bernama .

When contacted, Kadang said PKR "should check their records" and declined further comment.