PKR sacks Baru Bian's ex-aide over alleged bribery

PKR today sacked Works Minister Baru Bian's former political secretary Zakaria Abd Hamid and Pahang PKR member Ismail Dulhadi with immediate effect over suspicion of corruption and bribery.  

Party's disciplinary board chairperson Ahmad Kassim said the board made the decision after being advised by the MACC via a letter dated Oct 23, 2019.

The decision was made during the party's central leadership council meeting (MPP) in Petaling Jaya today.

"As a party which is consistent on its stand against corruption, and to relay a clear message to party members and the people that the party does not compromise with any members linked to corruption, MPP today made a decision to sack Zakaria Abd Hamid (above) and Ismail Dulhadi.

"Both have the right to make an appeal to the party president," Ahmad said during a media conference today.

The MACC investigation followed a report filed by PKR Youth coordinator Ahmad Syukri Che Ab Razak in September last year.

Zakaria, who is also Bera division chief, was said to have offered contracts worth RM20,000 and allocations amounting to at least RM300,000 at a meeting with local leaders on Sept 1, around the time he was running for a seat in the PKR central leadership council. 

Baru was reported to have said that if the allegation was true, it cannot be tolerated and must be investigated. 

Asked whether MACC is expected to charge the duo in the near future, PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil (photo) said it's up to the commission to decide on its next course of action.

"This is related to an offence (salahlaku) which was investigated by the MACC around the time of the party election in 2018.

"We will not explain (the case) in details as it is confidential, it's enough to mention on the action taken. MACC has asked us to look into this matter and take disciplinary action accordingly.

"It's up to MACC (to take further action) but they had advised us," Fahmi said.

Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has reiterated that the party's deputy president Azmin Ali will officiate the Wanita congress while adviser Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will do the same for the youth wing congress next month.

Prior to this, PKR leadership, split between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin's factions, has been in a turmoil over who would officiate the congresses of both wings.

Azmin's faction wants him to officiate the congresses to follow the party tradition but the MPP meeting had previously decided to replace Azmin with Wan Azizah as she holds a higher ministerial position as the deputy prime minister.

Saifuddin (photo) noted that 2,615 representatives from 221 divisions are qualified to attend the congress. 

Only one division - Tanjung Manis - is disqualified from joining the congresses following a court injunction early this month which prevented the branch election from being held. 

"We have applied to set aside the court order and the hearing will be on Nov 28. We hope to get all 222 divisions to be qualified to attend the congress," he said.

Saifuddin said the party had also reiterated that it will continue to support Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership and his efforts to improve the economy, strengthen the unity, and put the country on the right track.

"The president also said that the transition of power (from Mahathir to him) has to be done in a proper manner and through the Pakatan Harapan presidential council as the platform.

"Any speculations about other efforts which is not part of the consensus achieved by Harapan last year do not represent the party as well as the coalition," he said.

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