Giving of tokens not PKR culture, says S'gor Youth chief
Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi has reminded members that giving tokens to encourage participation in programmes is not part of its culture.
Najwan was commenting on claims being spread on WhatsApp that the opening ceremony of the Selangor PKR Youth annual general meeting tomorrow would be marred by the practice of giving "tokens" to members...
Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi has reminded members that giving tokens to encourage participation in programmes is not part of its culture.
Najwan was commenting on claims being spread on WhatsApp that the opening ceremony of the Selangor PKR Youth annual general meeting tomorrow would be marred by the practice of giving "tokens" to members.
"Selangor PKR Youth regrets what was being said (in the message) and would like to emphasise that this token-giving is not part of PKR culture to encourage party members to participate in party programmes.
"We should go back to the original goal of the party struggle," he told Malaysiakini.
The bribery allegation arose after an invitation was spread through WhatsApp allegedly promising a token to AGM attendees.
"Ask all members to attend and a token will be given to the attendees. Please provide the name (attendance is mandatory for the Shah Alam PKR Youth committee members)," said a message released to Malaysiakini.
Read more: 'Token sum not bribe, just stipend to cover convoy's expenses'
It was unclear whether the alleged token was going to be a gift or a financial distribution.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Hamzah Klang Hall at around 3pm tomorrow, with the opening ceremony being officiated by PKR Youth deputy chief Muhammad Hilman Idham (photo).
Najwan, the Kota Anggerik assemblyperson, acknowledged receiving the same message about the programme.
However, Hulu Langat PKR Youth chief Hanafi Jalalludin, who was contacted by Malaysiakini, said he did not know about the matter.
"I don't know," he said briefly.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he was aware of the allegations, and stressed that those involved would be referred to the disciplinary board if tokens were indeed issued.
"There are (allegations of token distribution) being spread, but if it is true that there is bribery, we will bring it to the disciplinary board," he said when met at the Parliament building yesterday.
Anwar added that PKR took the matter seriously.
"We must stop the practice of buying people or bribing with money. This cannot happen in the party," he said.
Shah Alam PKR Youth deputy chief Muhamad Idris later clarified that the token was meant to be a stipend to cover food and petrol expenses for its members who were participating in a Merdeka convoy programme.
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