PAS Youth meet grinds to a halt after claims of annual report irregularities, chairman rushed to hospital

KOTA TINGGI: The PAS Youth annual assembly ground to a temporary halt after an uproar over alleged irregularities in its annual report, following which permanent chairman Kamal Ashaari had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering breathing difficulties.

During proceedings, Mohd Labib Abdul Jalil, a delegate from Sabak Bernam, challenged the 2013 annual report on PAS Youth's activities and statement of accounts.

He claimed it could not be passed as five branches, which included Sembrong, Labis, Pengerang, and Pulai, had voted in the elections for the current line-up of PAS Youth office bearers, without holding respective annual meetings prior to the party polls.

"Do you agree that the result of previous polls are invalid?" Mohd Labib asked when debating the report during PAS Youth's 55th annual gathering on Monday night.

"How can we proceed if our minutes of the meetings are questionable? The Registrar of Societies (ROS) can take action against us anytime," he said.

Several other delegates also called for investigations after the Puchong delegate, Mohd Rosharizan Mohd Roslan said he had evidence of irregularities.

PAS Youth's permanent chairman Kamal Ashaari took a vote from the floor to bring the matter to top party leadership.

However, dissatisfaction remained among the delegates present, forcing Kamal to halt proceedings to consult top PAS leadership.

When the meeting resumed, Kamal informed delegates that they did not have the power to investigate and would forward the report submitted by the Puchong delegate to higher party authorities or the Syura council.

A minor scuffle broke out when a delegate from Terengganu stood up to protest the decision.

Kamal, who was seen breaking out in tears, appealed to delegates to calm down as the matter would be dealt with by the party leadership.

"If this is the sentiment of the delegates, the secretary-general can call for a special meeting to hold a re-election for the movement," he said.

Kamal was subsequently rushed to the hospital after suffering from breathing difficulties, presumably caused by the emotionally-charged atmosphere.

The meeting then resumed with more debates.