I am still PBM president - Sng

Julau MP Larry Sng has insisted that he is still Parti Bangsa Malaysia’s (PBM) president.

This came after the media reported that PBM president-designate Zuraida Kamaruddin was officially appointed party president at PBM’s first annual general meeting yesterday.

However, Sng (above) said that due process needed to take place first for a proper handover of the position.

“Just to be clear, if an election is held before the transition is complete, I will still sign the watikah (appointment letter) for candidates in GE15,” he said in a statement.

When contacted, Sng told Malaysiakini that the party president post would only be vacant under three scenarios - if the president resigns, is removed or leaves the party.

"Since I have not resigned nor left the party, it is up to the (PBM) supreme council to decide if they want to interpret the delegates’ decision as my sacking from the office of president," he said, adding that the matter will be discussed at the supreme council meeting next week.

Yesterday, Free Malaysia Today reported that Zuraida was officially PBM's president after receiving unanimous support from delegates.

‘Only approval of motion’

PBM's information chief Zakaria Abdul Hamid clarified with Malaysiakini that the decision was only approving a motion to appoint Zuraida as the new president.

"The delegates are excited with what was approved yesterday, of course, they want the transition to be enforced as soon as the motion is approved.

"The supreme council will carry out the due processes next week, in technical matters including notifying the Registrar of Societies (RoS)," he said.

Zakaria said yesterday there was a proposal to suggest that PBM create three positions for deputy president, with Sng to fill one.

“All the motions brought by the delegates in this convention were decided unanimously,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

On May 26, Zuraida announced her decision to leave Bersatu and join PBM, saying she would discuss her resignation as a minister with the prime minister.

Sng had announced Zuraida as PBM president-designate in June, which was unanimously adopted by members of the party’s political bureau and the supreme council.

PBM then mandated Zuraida to lead delegations to meet other party leaders in terms of admission into any coalition.

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