GEORGE TOWN: Penang Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has expressed shock over a report that its central committee will field a candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election, as this goes against the party's Pakatan-friendly policy.
State PRM chief Datuk Gary Nair described the party leadership's move as “ludicrous”.
“They are fielding a candidate who is not even a member of the party. We do not even have a branch or division in Permatang Pauh.
“It is foolish and ludicrous to field a candidate where our ally is contesting,” he said in a press conference here today.
Nair was responding to a vernacular newspaper Nan Yang Siang Pau article on Wednesday which reported that PRM would field a candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
The news had caught members by surprise, especially Nair, who claimed that he was not even consulted on the matter.
Nair also questioned the legality of the PRM central committee decision, as the meeting was allegedly held without complying to the minimum quorum of 19 members.
“The decision was made in a meeting attended by only six people. Three had supported the proposal while another three were against it.
“I have learnt that the secretary-general had used his veto power to nullify the vote and bulldozed the idea ahead,” he said.
Nair said he would write in to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on the matter.
Meanwhile, PRM secretary-general Koh Swe Yong confirmed a meeting had taken place but declined to reveal details, such as the number of members in attendance.
“Ultimately the decision is made by the central committee. We respect Nair’s opinion, it is his right to object,” he said when contacted.
Koh also refused to divulge details on the candidate, revealing only that the person would be a businessman in his 50s, who is well-versed with Permatang Pauh.
"You will get to see him tomorrow at the nomination centre. He is a long time member. I do not want to spoil the surprise," he added.
In 2003, PRM had merged with the then Parti Keadilan Nasional to form Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
However, some of the PRM members decided to remain within the party and in 2005, had appointed an executive committee.
The party, with a logo of a bull's head, has approximately 3,000 members nationwide and declared itself as a Pakatan-friendly party.