PBM’s road to implosion with two presidents

 

PETALING JAYA: Ahead of the 15th general election (GE15), cracks are appearing within Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) as contention mounts regarding the party presidency.

Earlier this month, it was reported that former Bersatu and PKR member Zuraida Kamaruddin had replaced Larry Sng as PBM president, with the unanimous backing of the party’s Supreme Council.

However, Sng then refuted the reports, saying that he remained party president but claimed there was no rift between the two of them.

Last Thursday, Sng suspended PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad and information chief, Zakaria Abdul Hamid effective immediately citing a party Supreme Council meeting on Oct 7 which he did not call for, though he was the party’s president.- 

Here are key dates in the development of the saga:

Oct 14, 2021 – Registrar of Societies (RoS) approves Sarawak Workers Party’s application to change its name to Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

Dec 21, 2021 – PBM officially launched.

Jan 8, 2022 – Larry Sng appointed as PBM president.

May 26, 2022 – Zuraida Kamaddurin applies to join PBM after quitting Bersatu.

June 9, 2022 – Zuraida officially joins PBM and is named “president designate”.

Oct 1, 2022 – PBM information chief Zakaria Abdul Hamid is reported as announcing that Zuraida was officially party president, claiming she had received unanimous support at the party’s inaugural general assembly.

Oct 2, 2022 – Sng says he is still PBM president but insists there was no conflict between him and Zuraida. He said he was shocked by Zakaria’s announcement.

Oct 8, 2022 – PBM secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad announces that Zuraida has replaced Sng as party president. He said the PBM Supreme Council unanimously approved Zuraida’s appointment a day earlier.

Oct 26, 2022 – Sng insists he is still PBM president and will be signing the watikah (appointment letter of candidates) in the 15th general election (GE15).

Oct 26, 2022 – Sng says PBM will use its own logo in GE15 as BN has not admitted the party into the coalition.

Oct 27, 2022 – Sng suspends party secretary-general Nor Hizwan and information chief Zakaria, effective immediately, citing the Supreme Council meeting on Oct 7, which he did not call for as PBM president.

Sng also shared a photo of a certified true copy of a Registrar of Societies (RoS) document dated Oct 27 which named him as the president of PBM.

PBM deputy president Haniza Talha tells Sng to attend a Supreme Council meeting on Nov 3 regarding the party’s presidency.

Oct 28, 2022 – Sng suspends Zuraida’s membership together with that of 12 other Supreme Council members.

Oct 29, 2022 – Sng reiterates that he is still the president as he has not resigned or has been sacked.

Oct 29, 2022 – Sng says a Supreme Council meeting will be held in Sarikei, Sarawak on Oct 30 and that all suspended members will not be allowed to attend.