Mass resignation hits Selayang PKR Youth, calls for leadership reset

Summary

• A mass resignation has occurred within Selayang PKR Youth, with members protesting alleged irregularities in last month's party divisional election.

• The resignations, including the deputy chief and vice-chief, involve 12 out of 14 committee members, leaving the division in uncertainty.

• The resigning members have submitted SDs declaring a loss of confidence in the newly elected Selayang Youth chief and are calling for an emergency general meeting.

Selayang PKR Youth is facing possible dissolution following a mass resignation by its committee members, in protest over the outcome of the party’s divisional election last month.

Among those who resigned were deputy chief Amir Sahmat, vice-chief Lee Fook Onn, and 12 out of 14 committee members, leaving the division in a state of uncertainty.

Amir confirmed the resignations were due to alleged irregularities in the election, which saw Tamilarasu Thamil Kalai elected as Selayang Youth chief, defeating Dinesh Selvarajoo.

“We held discussions collectively and made this decision with full responsibility,” Amir told Malaysiakini.

In addition to signing resignation letters dated May 5, Amir said the group had also submitted statutory declarations (SDs) declaring their loss of confidence in Tamilarasu’s leadership.

Initially, Amir said all 17 committee members had resigned, but three later withdrew their letters following appeals from the party’s central leadership.

The resignation letters were addressed to Youth secretary Omar Mokhtar and PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh, and sent in batches on May 7, June 4, and June 18.

Based on the letters seen by Malaysiakini, the number of resignations surpassed the two-thirds threshold, which under Article 32.4 of the PKR constitution, would warrant the suspension or dissolution of the division’s committee.

Citing Article 15.11, they also noted that the division should automatically be dissolved under such circumstances, and a special meeting must be held within 30 days to form a new committee.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Tamilarasu, Omar, and Fuziah for comment.

‘Leadership pushback’

It is understood that the resignation letters were also copied to PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim and PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

However, Amir claimed that central leaders attempted to persuade the resigning members to retract their letters.

“This move disregards the grassroots committee’s call for an emergency general meeting to form a pro-tem Selayang Youth committee.

“The voice of grassroots leadership must be heard and respected by the central leadership, not ignored.

“The central youth leadership’s actions go against PKR’s rules and constitution,” Amir said.

PKR Youth is expected to issue a statement on the matter soon.

Wing not dissolved

Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh denied claims that the Selayang PKR Youth wing has been dissolved.

According to an FMT report, she said at least two-thirds, or 18 out of 26 committee members, must resign for the wing to be considered dissolved.

“The number of elected members is 18, with an additional eight that can be appointed, bringing the maximum to 26. To meet the two-thirds threshold, at least 18 members must resign.

“Initially, 17 resigned, then three retracted their resignations, followed by another who withdrew. The current number who have resigned stands at 13,” she said.

Fuziah stressed that the number of resignations does not support the claim of dissolution, and that the process outlined in the party’s constitution must be followed.

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