Penang PKR chief Zahrain Hashim issued a 'stern fatherly lecture' to several party division leaders on Sunday to abort their revolt against his leadership.

zahrain hassim datukship In the three-hour meeting held at his Bayan Baru parliamentary service centre in Bukit Jambul, the PKR state leader warned of stern action against certain rebels for attempting to overthrow him.

Zahrain had accused them of breaching party disciplinary rules by holding secret meetings and organising a signature campaign to garner divisional support to stage the mini leadership coup.

State executive councilor and Batu Kawan division chief Law Choo Kiang, Jelutong chief Tan Tee Beng, Bukit Bendera chairperson Jason Ong, Bukit Gelugor chief VS Raveentharan and Bukit Mertajam division chief and Machang Bubok legislator Tan Hock Leong were among those who attended the meeting, which started at 11am.

When contacted, Zahrain claimed that the meeting was carried out in a 'cordial and friendly' manner.

The PKR leader said he had only discussed current issues with those at the meeting and urged them to raise their grouses through the proper party channels.

Secret meeting

It is learnt that Zahrain was enraged when he discovered that the rebels held a secret meeting 10 days ago to discuss the possibility of replacing him with another leader.

Some nine division leaders were said to have attended the secret meeting called upon by leaders of the rebel camp.

Among those who attended were Deputy Chief Minister 1 and Balik Pulau division chairperson Mansor Othman, state executive councilors Law and Abdul Malik Kassim, who is also the Tanjung division chief.

Others were Nibong Tebal division chief and Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Maktar Shapee, Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tee Beng, Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong and Batu Uban state representative Raveentharan.

State deputy speaker Hock Leong and Tasek Gelugor chief and Seberang Perai municipality (MPSP) councillor Mahamad Hashim were also there.

Most of the division leaders however are said to have attended the meeting not knowing that it was held to garner divisional support to overthrow Zahrain.

Apparently, Mansor, Malik and Law even expressed shock and warned the rebel leaders against any attempt to oust Zahrain, whose relationship with party supremo Anwar Ibrahim goes way back.

Upset over state awards

It is believed that the secret meeting was arranged by a handful of division leaders after their nominees' application for the recent state awards, especially Datukship, were rejected by the state executive council.

The upset division leaders blamed Zahrain, who received the 'Datuk Seri' title last week, for the rejection.

PKR sources claimed that Zahrain and other top state leaders did not know about the nominations.

The sources said the division leaders have submitted their nominees' application forms directly to the state executive council without going through the party leadership.

"Zahrain and others were caught unaware. It is wrong for the rebels to blame him for the rejection," stressed the high-level sources.

Despite the attempted but unsuccessful coup, Zahrain however remained unperturbed.

The PKR leader said he was assured of Anwar’s full backing following a lengthy private conversation with the party supremo over the issue late last week.

When asked about it, Zahrain said he would serve as PKR state leader at the pleasure of the national leadership.

He also said he would not launch a political vendetta to initiate disciplinary action against the rebels.

"I was appointed by the party president to lead PKR in Penang. Anwar has told me to just ignore these rebels and carry on with my work.

"I will continue to serve and lead PKR as long the leadership wants me," he told Malaysiakini .