In a drastic move, Sarawak PKR liaison chief Dominique Ng sacked his secretary Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh during the party leadership retreat in Matang, Kuching today.

An argument broke out between them after Zulkifli had failed to adhere to Ng’s instructions to stop controversial PKR Santubong branch leader Saidin Massudin Sahini from attending the leadership retreat.

Ng explained that the decision was necessary to ensure that the party maintained a high level of discipline in order to move in the right direction.

“We are going to recommend to the party later to allow the state committee to temporarily suspend any member who have found to have breached party discipline.

“If we don't have that power, it can cause havoc. In principle he has been sacked but he is confused that he has rights to be here,” he told Malaysiakini.

Asked to elaborate on Zulkifli’s sacking, the Padungan state assemblyperson declined comment but admitted that there has been problems.

An enemy of PKR

“He has been a loyal secretary, he has done a very good job but if they cannot work with me as state leader, I have to find somebody who can. It’s as simple as that.

“I don't want this but a decision has to be made. I don't want to send out the wrong signal. We will not compromise with someone whom we regard as enemy (Saidin),” he added.

According to Ng, Saidin had allegedly tried to sabotage the party’s candidate Hussain bin Apok during the March 8 general election.

Hussain was pitted against Sarawak Chief Mnister Abdul Taib Mahmud’s son, Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib.

Sulaiman won the Kota Samarahan parliamentary seat with a 15,559 majority over Hussain’s 4,148.

“Even though the party has not made any decision to take any action yet, it doesn't mean that we can allow him (Saidin) in. He has no right to be here.

“If you are found to have betrayed the party, if you have chosen to become an enemy of the party, we have to treat you like an enemy,” he said.

Asked to comment on his dismissal, Zulkifli said: “That is his prerogative”.

Also present at the leadership retreat were National PKR vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub and Sabah PKR deputy chief Dr Jeffery Kitingan.