The Keadilan supreme council today endorsed the dismissal of Youth secretary Lokman Noor Adam, and suspended him as supreme council member pending investigation by an independent committee.

It made the decision this evening, after Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor presented his report on why he had sacked Lokman from the post on Monday.

The main reason was that Lokman was allegedly urging members to defect to Umno, although he has repeatedly denied this.

Lokman, who attended the meeting to give his side of the story, was said to have read out a letter - earlier made available to malaysiakini - and then to have "stormed out" of the room.

When contacted, Ezam said: "The supreme council conceded that I had acted within my jurisdiction as Youth chief in dismissing Lokman. They are satisfied that the party's constitution gives me the power to change the youth leadership as I see fit.

"The council decided that it is only fair to all parties that all allegations be investigated by an independent committee before making a final decision."

He said the council had also agreed to his request that the committee should investigate Lokman's allegations (in his letter) that party funds have been mismanaged.

"It is a very serious allegation and I want my name to be cleared," Ezam said.

'Legal suit withdrawn'

He said, however, that the party has yet to decide on the appointment of committee members or when the inquiry panel is to begin its work.

Elaborating on his 30-minute report to the supreme council, Ezam said he had revealed the names of those who had directly heard from Lokman about his intention to join arch-rival Umno.

"I gave the names of those who had been approached by Lokman to leave the party to join Umno. They are willing to testify before the committee, I am confident of that," he said.

Ezam further said he had informed the council about Lokman's instructions to two lawyers to withdraw his legal suit (for unlawful detention under the Internal Security Act), which he had filed against former police chief Norian Mai.

"The lawyers told me this on Jan 19, explaining that it is because Lokman wants to join Umno," Ezam claimed.

Lokman was among reformasi activists who had been detained for two years at the Kamunting detention camp until last June, when he was released.