PKR branch leaders want action against Latheefa Koya

In the news: Latheefa is accused of trying to damage the party’s image.

PETALING JAYA: Five PKR branch leaders want action to be taken against central committee member Latheefa Koya for her negative views on the appointment of party state chiefs.

Klang branch head Mohd Farazi Mohd Shah said party leadership should take appropriate action against those who openly criticised the president.

“She accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of practising cronyism and nepotism, but the fact is that the president has fulfilled all the criteria within the party constitution, requiring the state leadership to discuss with him and division chiefs regarding the matter.

“We feel that the accusation reeks of slander and is an attempt to damage the image of the party, which is a breach of party discipline,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters here.

The other branches demanding action against Latheefa are Indera Mahkota, Paya Besar, Kelana Jaya and Kuala Langat.

On Dec 17, Latheefa described the announcement of the new state chiefs as “disturbing and a cause for grave concern”.

She said while the president was given the power to choose the respective state chiefs in line with the party constitution in consultation with division chiefs, it was highly unusual and contrary to the party spirit for him to ignore the majority’s preference.

Hours after Latheefa’s statement on Monday, Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, announced her resignation as PKR vice-president and as its Penang chief.

Farazi said although the party practised free speech, such criticism against top party leadership must be done in a proper manner.

“It should be channelled through the proper mechanism so that it will not be manipulated by the media,’’ he added.

He also urged Nurul Izzah to reconsider her decision to step down from her party posts.

“She is not someone new in politics and she has been fighting for the people for more than 20 years,’’ Farazi added.

In response, Latheefa said the issues she raised were not just about the party.

“It is about concerns of cronyism and nepotism in the biggest party of the federal government.

“It is of grave public interest. Using disciplinary complaints to try and silence me is a contemptible Umno-style tactic.

“It will not succeed,” she said.