Haziq has 14 days to respond to PKR’s show cause letter

PETALING JAYA: Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz, who has admitted to being involved in a sex video controversy, has been given 14 days to respond to a show cause letter issued by the party disciplinary board.

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the board has forwarded four recommendations, including the decision to issue the show cause letter to Haziq, which were endorsed by the political bureau during its meeting yesterday.

“Attendance was almost full, except for Azmin (Datuk Seri Azmin Ali). We respect all views, but the decision stands as agreed to by the disciplinary board,” he told a press conference at the party headquarters here after the political bureau meeting yesterday.

In a statement issued later, the disciplinary board rejects dirty politics and called on its members to be united in facing challenges facing the party. The board also advised PKR members to respect the law.

PKR disciplinary board chairman Datuk Ahmad Kassim said that the party disciplinary board convened a meeting on Sunday over the issue.

“A show cause letter will be given to Haziq as he has damaged the reputation of the party and its leadership by issuing his statement regarding the video.

“The party disciplinary board also takes note of the deputy president’s (Azmin) denial and we will study any explanation on the matter, if they are available. We will also wait for investigations by the police,” he added.

He said Haziq was given 14 days to respond to the show cause letter.

Asked to comment on Haziq’s remark that he was worried about his personal safety, Anwar said this came as a surprise.

“It is a serious allegation and we will let the police investigate it and for him to clarify his statement,” said Anwar.

He said that the decision against Haziq was supported by all levels of the party leadership.

Asked if he had communicated with the Prime Minister over the matter, Anwar replied: “Please ask Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”

In a development last night, PKR Youth members demanded the sacking of Haziq at a meeting.

PKR Youth vice-chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the disciplinary board should expel Haziq, given the damage he has done.

He said the youth meeting held at Shah Alam was chaired by PKR deputy youth chief Hilman Idham, who is also Gombak Setia assemblyman and Azmin’s political secretary.

Mohd Nazree claimed members also wanted PKR to return to its original struggle of defending the people’s rights as opposed to only championing one individual and his family members.

He also said Youth members stood firmly behind Azmin on the issue.