PKR may take disciplinary action against Wangsa Maju chief after congress
A source said any formal action against Wangsa Maju PKR division chief Lai Chen Heng will likely be taken only after the conclusion of the party's national congress on May 24. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : PKR is expected to take disciplinary action against Wangsa Maju division chief Lai Chen Heng following the circulation of a video in which he appears to discuss financial matters involving the division, a party source said.
The source told FMT any formal action would likely be taken after the conclusion of the party's national congress on May 24.
It is also understood that plans are in place to appoint the division's deputy chief, Azmee Abd Rahim, as acting head pending the next party election.
The video, which surfaced on several social media platforms, appears to show Lai commenting on financial contributions to the division from a prominent businessman, allegedly referring to them as 'unaudited funds' associated with a senior political leader.
Last month, Lai denied claims that the division's 2024 financial statements had been manipulated.
He said such claims were baseless and politically motivated, adding that the financial report presented during the division's annual general meeting on March 1 did not receive any objections.
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh had previously said she would propose the temporary suspension of the Wangsa Maju division over procedural issues during a recent meeting.
She said the proposal was expected to be brought to the PKR central leadership council for a decision.
Fuziah had also said the division was instructed to hold a special general meeting on March 1 to resubmit its 2024 financial statements, which had not received prior approval from the secretary-general's office.
Following further consultations, a meeting was held on March 24 to clarify details in the report.
Commenting on the viral video today, Lai maintained that the clip had been selectively edited and circulated with malicious intent.
'I will leave it to the authorities to investigate, especially the individual who shared the video, which I believe was edited,' he said.
'I also believe it has been widely disseminated across many platforms in a coordinated manner, with the aim of character assassination.
'This is happening during the party's election season. It could be a coincidence, but I hope the media will refrain from speculating in a way that could disturb public order.'
Asked if he had been informed of any disciplinary measures, he said he had not received any official notice.
Separately, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan urged PKR's disciplinary board to investigate the video purportedly of Lai and to take stern action if necessary.
Zahir said the allegations the video alluded to were serious and tarnished the name of the party and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister.
Lai had retained the post of Wangsa Maju PKR chief in the divisional elections last month, defeating Zahir, his closest contender, by 92 votes.
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