Perak Muda chief suspended for three years over GE15 candidacy gaffe

Muda suspended the membership of its Perak chief, Mutalib Uthman, for three years effective yesterday.

Muda secretary-general Amir Abdul Hadi in a statement cited several breaches of the party's discipline, including Mutalib's action to unilaterally announce himself as a candidate for the Tapah parliamentary seat during the last 15th general election.

"On Oct 30, Mutalib (above) was found to have uploaded an official party poster on his personal social media account and Perak Muda's account to announce his intention to contest in Tapah in GE15 without the party's consent," said Amir.

He said the action went against Muda's constitution on the need to follow and respect the party's decisions, as well as on upholding the party's reputation and honour.

Amir said Mutalib was also found to have requested access to Perak Muda's official social media account and changed its password, describing the move as evidence of intentions to sabotage the party.

"He had also upon being contacted (at the time) refused to take down the poster that he uploaded unless promised a seat to contest in the election.

"His defence statement that he has been with the party from day one and that he helped build the party so that he could contest the election is unacceptable," Amir stressed.

He said Mutalib has been verbally informed of the suspension yesterday and that any appeals made will be deliberated after they have been received.

‘The party has spoken’

When contacted, Mutalib said he hasn’t received any official notice from the party.

“However, the statement made by the secretary-general confirmed the action against me.

“It is harsh, but the party has spoken,” Mutalib told Malaysiakini.

Muda contested in GE15 as part of an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan and Mutalib had, while negotiations were ongoing, initially claimed the Tapah seat for himself before he was quickly shot down by the party leadership.

In less than 24 hours, he admitted fault and toed the line that Tapah would be contested by PKR.

He was fielded in Masjid Tanah where he lost to Perikatan Nasional's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin in a four-cornered contest.

Meanwhile, Amir said Muda's central executive committee had also received resignation letters from its Pahang chairperson Malani Manimaharan and Penang chairperson Jazz Tan, citing commitment issues and health issues.

As such, he said the party has appointed acting chairpersons to fill the vacancies in Perak and Penang, while the appointment for Pahang will be made soon.

Perak Muda chief moves to Malacca, will contest Masjid Tanah

Perak Muda chief apologises over Tapah gaffe, will fight another 'minister'

Perak Muda chief goes rogue, claims Tapah seat

Once-beloved MP Mas Ermieyati struggles with party-first Umno voters