PBM power struggle: Sng suspends Zuraida-allied sec-gen, info chief

A power struggle appears to be shaping up in Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

Founding president Larry Sng (above), who claimed to still be the officeholder as per Registrar of Societies records pulled today, rejected a supreme council’s decision to replace him with Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Sng has also suspended party secretary-general Hizwan Ahmad and information chief Zakaria Abdul Hamid - who are both Zuraida's lieutenants - over the supreme council meeting that approved the change in the post of president.

Zuraida joined PBM in May, and in June was declared the party's "president-designate".

Later on Oct 1, the party's annual general meeting approved Zuraida to take over Sng's position as party president.

The following day, Sng said it would be up to the supreme council to decide on how to implement the AGM decision, as he had not yet resigned as party president.

He also said that until a transition is official, he would be the one signing off on appointment letters for PBM's election candidates.

The supreme council then met on Oct 7 and declared Zuraida was officially the party president.

Validity of supreme council meeting

However, Sng in a statement today cast aspersions on the validity of the supreme council meeting.

He said the meeting was not called by him as the party president.

Sng added that the meeting was held at the same time when Budget 2023 was tabled and he was only informed of the outcome after the meeting was held.

He stressed that Zuraida could not become party president as the position had not become vacant.

"I strongly despise and condemn such political manoeuvring, which has undermined the trust of my leadership and has caused confusion to party members and the general public at large," he said.

Sng said Hizwan and Zakaria's suspensions would be in effect until a disciplinary committee can be set up to review that matter - after the general election.

He has made Hizwan's deputy Jenny Chiew to be PBM's acting secretary-general in the meantime.

In a statement reacting to Sng's actions, PBM deputy president Haniza Talha - who is also a staunch Zuraida ally - urged the party's founding leader to attend the supreme council meeting on Nov 3.

Haniza said all his questions regarding Zuraida's "valid" position as PBM president would be answered then.

She also pointed out that under the party constitution, a supreme council meeting can be called if one-third of the council's members call for a meeting, which would mean Sng's permission was not required.

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