PKR denies intention to drop seven MPs
PKR has conceded the existence of an internal audit committee that evaluates problematic election seats and representatives, but has denied recommending dropping seven of its parliamentarians for non-performance.
PKR has conceded the existence of an internal audit committee that evaluates problematic election seats and representatives, but has denied recommending dropping seven of its parliamentarians for non-performance.
Online news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) had yesterday reported that the seven, including party deputy president Azmin Ali (left), as having been found wanting.
The report claimed that the audit committee had recommended that they be dropped as candidates in the next general election.
Azmin had immediately dismissed the claim.
"The audit was conducted to evaluate public perceptions on how to improve the party’s performance in certain areas. I was tasked with this as a central committee member,” said Nik Mahmood Nik Hassan in a statement today.
He also said the audit report is a confidential one, to be distributed only to selected leaders.
However, “it did not name or (even) audit the MPs” as alleged, on the basis of their performance as elected representatives.
"None of the MPs named in the FMT report was audited by my committee," said the statement, read out by another leader Mohd Nur Manuty, at a press conference at the party headquarters this morning.
Nik Mahmood, calling the news report “misleading and without basis”, was critical of FMT for not contacting him for clarification. He also demanded a correction of the report.
Seats of ‘frogs’ targeted
Party communication chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who was present, clarified that the audit had focused on several problematic areas or seats, and not on elected representatives as yet.
“In particular they looked at areas where our elected representatives had ‘jumped’ (to become Independents or to join other parties),” Nik Nazmi (left) said.
There was no immediate response to questions on the criteria of the audit and why this had not evaluated all seats.
Reporters were told that Nik Mahmood, who chairs the audit committee, would respond in due course. He was unable to attend the press conference because of prior commitments.
PKR has been plagued with complaints that its elected representatives have not met their responsibilities, having been plucked out of obscurity and without proper credentials for elected office.
Among the initiatives to counter shortcomings is the setting up of the audit committee.
