PKR tells Tian Chua to resign from GLC post or risk stern action

The PKR central leadership council has issued party vice-president Tian Chua with a warning and an instruction for him to resign as the Malaysia Productivity Corporation chairperson.

When contacted, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution confirmed that the June 28 central leadership council meeting had made the decision based on recommendations from the party's disciplinary board.

"Yes, I issued a letter based on the central leadership council's decision at its last meeting where Tian Chua was also present," Saifuddin told Malaysiakini today.

Earlier today, The Malaysian Insight quoted sources who revealed Saifuddin's letter to Tian Chua dated June 29.

According to the letter, Tian was instructed to resign from the politically- appointed position or risk sterner action.

It is understood that the former Batu MP has yet to communicate his decision to the party leadership.

The Malaysian Insight report quoted Tian Chua as confirming he had received the letter on Wednesday night via e-mail.

However, Sin Chew Daily earlier today quoted Tian Chua as saying there was no such letter asking him to resign and that he had discussed the issue of his GLC position with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim in private.

Malaysiakini has contacted Tian Chua for a response.

It was previously reported that PKR leaders at their June 28 meeting had moved to sack PKR Women's chief Haniza Talha, PKR Penang Women's chief Nur Zarina Zakaria, PKR Sabah Women's chief Rahimah Majid and two Penang assemblypersons Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) as well as Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh).

This after the party initiated a disciplinary probe against those known to be aligned with former party deputy president Azmin Ali who triggered the Sheraton Move in late February that led to the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.

The internal purge saw hundreds of PKR members being suspended or sacked. Tian Chua was among the five spared and issued with a show-cause letter instead.

The Sheraton Move refers to the gathering of 11 rogue PKR MPs led by Azmin, the Gombak MP, together with MPs from Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS and Warisan at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya on Feb 23 to finalise political manoeuvres which later led to the ouster of the Harapan government by the new coalition Perikatan Nasional.