PKR disciplinary board hauls up Hassan for criticising 5G network decision

• UPDATED 5.39PM | Added comments from party officials.

PKR is holding a disciplinary hearing for its Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya this afternoon.

According to sources, the disciplinary board has summoned the outspoken representative over his statement on Putrajaya’s decision to appoint the royalty-linked U Mobile as the second operator for Malaysia’s 5G network.

When contacted, Hassan confirmed the matter but declined to comment further.

“It is true,” he said in a brief text message to Malaysiakini.

“Better get the details from the disciplinary board. The hearing is going to start soon. I am at the PKR headquarters now,” he added.

Tarnishing party’s image

Sources indicated that Hassan had been accused of tarnishing the party’s image when he made the statement.

The MP is also accused of insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and criticising Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government for shoring up crony capitalist groups.

Sultan Ibrahim is the second biggest shareholder in U Mobile.

PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh when contacted said the disciplinary action was initiated following complaints the party received against Hassan from several members of its central leadership council.

“There were complaints made by members of MPP (central leadership council) in regards to Hassan and his public statements.

“Thus, I have forwarded the complaints to the disciplinary board so that the matter can be investigated and his grievances can be discussed within the internal party mechanism,” she told Malaysiakini.

However, Fuziah said she was not privy to information on whether the board has summoned Hassan as it works independently.

Meanwhile, disciplinary board chairperson Tan Yee Kew said summoning Hassan is just standard procedure when complaints are received.

“When the disciplinary board receives complaints, we will call for a hearing to allow the person concerned to explain themself. This is a normal SOP of the board. 

“The disciplinary board will refer its findings to the central leadership council for a final decision,” she said.

Earlier this month, Hassan posted a statement on his Facebook that criticised the appointment of U Mobile.

He had said that Anwar’s struggle for transparency and good governance was being hampered by the return of the “mahakaya” (ultra-rich) crony capitalist group.

“The Madani government led by (Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim), which is championing good governance and transparency, is now being questioned.

“This comes with the return of the practice of shoring up crony capitalist groups but now coming from the mahakaya group,” said Hassan’s statement.

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