Commotion at start of PKR Youth congress as sacked former chairman tries to attend (updated)

MELAKA: Chaos broke out at the opening of the PKR Youth congress on Friday (Dec 6) morning after sacked permanent chairman Muhammad Mizan Adli Mohd Nor was "smuggled" into the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here.

About 30 PKR Youth security personnel clad in black clashed with Mizan and a few others who tried to enter the classic ballroom of the MITC, where the congress is taking place.

Mizan initially managed to enter the hall, but was soon booted out by an unknown group of delegates.

There was pushing and shoving between scores of PKR supporters, taking place just metres away from the congress in progress.

A delegate who was denied entry said he was puzzled why he was not allowed to enter.

"Why are we not allowed in? We have delegates' passes," he said.

Outside the classic ballroom, shouts of "buka pintu (open the door)" and "tak tahu malu kah? (have you no shame?)" could be heard as some tried to shove their way past security personnel.

Shortly after, PKR Youth communications director Wong Chun Yuan said the situation was under control.

"Only delegates and observers with tags are allowed to enter the hall," he told The Star.

The first agenda for the PKR Youth congress is to choose a new chairman to replace Mizan and his deputy Mohd Ramly Ahmad, who were both recently sacked by Youth chief Akmal Nasrullah Md Nasir for being above the age of 35.

Meanwhile, outside the MITC, Mizan questioned if Akmal had used "gangsters" to stop him from participating in the congress.

"Akmal did not follow the spirit of the president and deputy president. It is my right to enter.

"Where is justice? Did Akmal use gangsters? We didn't do anything," claimed Mizan, who also alleged that he was pushed and beaten.

He said he wanted to be present when the new PKR Youth permanent chairman and deputy chairman were appointed.

Despite the commotion, the PKR Youth wing went ahead to nominate and appoint Melaka PKR Youth secretary Rashid Abu Babar as the new permanent chairman with Kedah PKR Youth secretary Wan Mohamad Syahezral Wan Shahidan as his deputy.

Mizan later claimed that the PKR Youth congress was invalid as the appointment of Rashid and Syahezral was made without his presence.

He also claimed that over 200 delegates were stopped from entering the hall, some of whom were "shoved and punched".

Mizan also alleged that those who filled up the PKR Youth congress were mainly school students.

"We can't accept this. There are delegates who come from far. We deem this congress invalid," he said.