Puchong PKR division challenges first meeting, claims it's invalid

Summary

• PKR division and central level election results have led to internal conflict.

• The Puchong PKR division is challenging the validity of its first meeting and the formation of its action committee, citing alleged violations of party procedures.

• While the PKR constitution outlines notice requirements and quorum for division committee meetings, it is vague on the division chief's authority to make appointments before the first official meeting.

Almost a month has passed since PKR concluded its division and central level election, but an internal divide that produced outcomes described as “headless bodies” continues to haunt the party.

All 222 PKR divisions nationwide are scheduled to hold their first meeting from now until July 15.

In Puchong, deputy division chief Zubir Khan lodged a formal complaint with party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh yesterday, backed by signatures from 17 other division committee members.

Puchong Wanita chief Yusni Mat Yusof confirmed the complaint, citing alleged violations of party procedures.

“I confirm that a complaint has been filed regarding the invalidity of the Puchong division’s first meeting and the formation of its action committee,” she told Malaysiakini.

Yusni claimed the meeting was not conducted in accordance with the party constitution or standing orders.

“Due to procedural non-compliance and constitutional breaches, we are of the view that the meeting was invalid and that all decisions made are null and void and cannot be recognised as official decisions of the division,” she said.

Among the issues raised was the meeting proceeding without a majority of the newly elected division committee members and without fulfilling the required quorum.

“Furthermore, committee appointments were made without going through a proper and valid election process. The division chief made appointments unilaterally, without convening the first meeting, and notices were issued by a secretary who was appointed outside the meeting,” she alleged.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Fuziah and Puchong division chief Zaihasri Jaafar for a response.

Other losses

Puchong is among several PKR divisions experiencing the “headless bodies” scenario, where the elected committee members are aligned with the losing candidate for division chief.

Other notable “heads” who lost their “bodies” include Gan Ay Ling in Kangar, Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Kamri Kamaruddin (Ampang), Rodziah Ismail (Shah Alam), and Ginie Lim (Alor Gajah).

Former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also lost his bid for the Setiawangsa division chief post to actor-director Afdlin Shauki.

A check by Malaysiakini found that the PKR constitution is vague on procedures for appointments at the division level.

Clause 38.2 states that a notice for a division committee meeting must be issued by the division secretary no less than seven days prior. If the secretary fails to do so, the person calling the meeting must issue the notice.

Clause 38.4 adds that the quorum for a division committee meeting is at least one-third of the total committee members.

However, the constitution does not clarify whether a division chief has the authority to make appointments before the first official meeting is held.

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