A key leader of opposition party PRM has resigned from all party positions, including his posts as vice-president and information chief.

Hassan Karim, who is the party's Johor state chief, told malaysiakini that he had tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday.

However, according to a party source, Hassan's intention to quit has not been accepted by PRM yet because he did not submit a proper resignation letter to either party president Dr Syed Husin Ali or secretary-general Dr Sanusi Osman.

"Hassan did not give a proper explanation (on the grounds for his resignation), and the letter which was submitted via e-mail is not considered a proper letter," the source told malaysiakini.

The source also said that Hassan, an ex-student leader in the 1970s, will be required to attend the party's central committee meeting to explain his intention to resign.

The next meeting of the central committee is scheduled to be held in Petaling Jaya on Sunday.

Not PRM policy

Hassan wrote a letter to malaysiakini today to clarify that the stand reflected in his article, 'Meritokrasi Sanggah Perlembagaan' (Meritocracy is against the Constitution), which was published in the website on Monday, was his own and not that of PRM.

"The article is my own opinion. It is not the policy of PRM. I'm fully responsible for the article and PRM should not be blamed for it," he wrote.

Yesterday, another opposition party criticised PRM for supposedly having changed its stand on the issue of meritocracy.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) pro-tem chairman Dr Nasir Hashim, who was a former member of PRM, alleged that the party had turned it back on its principle of social justice, regardless of race.

However, Hassan maintained that PRM was still committed to building a non-racial society which is equal, just and democratic.

"It is more accurate if Dr Nasir's criticisms are directed to me, and not PRM," he said.

Split on merger

Hassan, when contacted by malaysiakini, however refused to divulge the reason for his sudden resignation. He said that he had explained the matter in his letter to PRM.

Although the criticisms against Hassan's article coincided with his resignation, it is believed that his decision to resign is due to the split within the party on the issue of merger with its Barisan Alternatif coalition partner, Keadilan.

PRM members from Johor had staunchly opposed the merger between the two opposition parties.

It is believed that Hassan, who headed Johor PRM, came under tremendous pressure from the party's grassroots to persuade the leadership to withdraw from the proposed merger.

However, PRM unanimously voted to merge with Keadilan at its annual national congress on July 15.