PBM announces new supreme council line-up

PETALING JAYA: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) has announced a new supreme council line-up after a restructuring of the party following the 15th General Election (GE15).

The announcement came months after a leadership tussle broke out between Julau MP Datuk Larry Sng and former president designate Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin last October.

The party’s information and communications division said the supreme council of the party led by Sng had its first meeting on Feb 10 to iron out the party’s organisational structure.

"There were replacements and new appointments for several party leadership positions.

"This measure was taken to rebuild the party’s strength to remain relevant to build the country along with the unity government," it said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 14).

Sng will remain as the president after a leadership tussle with former ally Zuraida who had since quit the party.

Steven Choong Shiau Yoon and Wong Anak Judat will be deputy presidents while former DAP man and Tronoh state rep Paul Yong Choo Kiong will be senior vice president.

Datuk Chua Lian Chye is the vice president, while former Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat will be the secretary-general and Engga Unchat will be the treasurer-general.

There are a total of 24 members in the supreme council.

"It was also decided at the meeting that new supreme council members and state chiefs would be appointed.

"The machinery for restructuring and strengthening state structures have been completed and PBM will now focus on ironing out the grassroots and rebranding PBM so that it gets a place in the hearts of Malaysians," it said.

The party is also optimistic that it will continue to remain with the unity government to ensure that Malaysia is stable and competitive in overcoming headwinds.

Sng will serve as the chief for Sabah, Sarawak and Selangor state chapters.

It was reported on Sept 2 last year that the Selangor chapter of PBM had dissolved all of its divisions and wings across the state.

State party secretary Ruzaini Sani had said the decision was due to dissatisfaction towards Sng in various matters, among them was his refusal to hand over leadership to Zuraida.

Ruzaini also said Sng went against the decision of PBM’s annual general assembly in October last year, which unanimously agreed on the power transition process, that the party president post be given to Zuraida.

Ruzaini also said Sng had abused his powers in sacking 13 senior party leaders, including Zuraida, in a supreme council meeting, without referring to the party’s constitution.

As a result, Ruzaini said a decision was made by state PBM leaders to dissolve two wings and 13 divisions across the state on Feb 1.

In December last year, Sng sacked 11 PBM members, including Zuraida.

On Oct 28, Sng announced the suspension of Zuraida and 12 supreme council members for allegedly undermining the interests of the party and its leadership.

Sng also said he was still the PBM president and had never vacated the post for Zuraida.