PKR divisions: Suspend Rafizi and eight MPs calling for RCI

Summary

• Nineteen PKR division chiefs demand the suspension of Rafizi Ramli and eight other party MPs for violating party discipline by holding a public press conference calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into judicial appointments.

• They have formally called upon party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh to immediately suspend all nine MPs and launch a comprehensive disciplinary investigation.

Nineteen PKR division chiefs have urged the suspension of Rafizi Ramli and eight other party members after they called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe judicial appointments last week.

In a joint statement, they said the nine members violated party discipline, particularly while PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was on a working visit abroad.

“This action not only violates party discipline and ethics but also creates a poor impression of the prime minister’s leadership and opens opportunities for political manipulation by the opposition.

“We do not reject the importance of safeguarding the integrity of judicial institutions.

“However, the approach taken by these nine MPs has exceeded the bounds of party discipline and contradicts the PKR members’ code of ethics, and has had a negative impact on the party’s reputation and unity,” the group said.

They added that any issues related to policy or concerns about the country’s administration should be channelled through internal party platforms such as the political bureau or the central leadership council.

“In this regard, we firmly call upon the party secretary-general, Fuziah Salleh, to immediately suspend the membership of all nine MPs involved, and initiate a comprehensive disciplinary investigation through the party’s disciplinary committee.”

They added that firm action is important to preserve the party’s dignity, restore organisational discipline, and prevent negative perceptions that could affect overall party unity.

The following is a list of branch chiefs demanding the suspension:

• Khairil Adanan (Mersing)

• Ysahruddin Kusni (Bakri)

• Faizul Abd Ghani (Pengerang)

• Abd Saad Salleh (Seri Gading)

• Shahrun Radzi (Sembrong)

• Rosman Tahir (Ayer Hitam)

• Roselin Nona (Muar)

• Murad Jailani (Pasir Gudang)

• Haniff Hosman (Pontian)

• Kalytas Chandarahasan (Kluang)

• Hishamuddin Misrin Ishak (Parit Sulong)

• Sayful Ariffin Abdul Karim (Tanjung Piai)

• Subramani Chami (Pagoh)

• Ibrahim Nor (Kota Tinggi)

• Ravi Sankar (Labis)

• Faezuddin Puad (Pulai)

• Shamala Vasudevan (Segamat)

• Prakash Maniam (Tebrau)

• Shamala Sham (Iskandar Puteri)

Call to support RCI

Previously, former PKR deputy president Rafizi and the eight MPs demanded that an RCI and a Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) assess appointments in the judiciary.

They also urged the PSSC on institutional reforms to investigate the matter and summon Anwar to testify.

Besides Rafizi, the eight other MPs were Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Wong Chen (Subang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat), and S Kesavan (Sungai Siput).

Rafizi also called for a united Parliament to defend the dignity of national institutions, and sent letters to all parliamentarians, urging them to support the establishment of the RCI.

Elaborating on the demands, Rafizi said an RCI can investigate issues beyond the scope of a tribunal as proposed by the Defend the Judiciary Secretariat.

Several MPs from Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional confirmed to Malaysiakini that they received Rafizi’s letter on Thursday (July 10).

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general and PN chief whip, Takiyuddin Hassan, declared that PN will not support PKR lawmaker Rafizi’s call to establish the RCI.

Takiyuddin highlighted that supporting the call for the RCI would be contradictory to the opposition’s stance urging for Anwar’s immediate resignation.

In a response, Saifuddin, who is now PKR’s election director, said the party always accepts different views and celebrates differences of opinion.

“Alhamdulillah, PKR is an open party that celebrates and accepts differences of opinion, and that is the view from backbenchers towards the government today,” he said.

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