Akmal under pressure as state youth chiefs back party leadership

PKR Youth leader Akmal Nasir has come under pressure over a leaked chat message.

PETALING JAYA: PKR state youth chiefs have defended the party leadership, with youth leader Akmal Nasir facing pressure to resign after a leaked internal Whatsapp conversation, in which he appeared to have criticised party president Anwar Ibrahim.

A statement signed by 14 state youth chiefs said they believed the PKR youth leadership was still committed in backing the president in his effort to build a better Malaysia.

“There is no strong basis to question the loyalty of PKR youth leaders towards the party leadership after their loyalty has been proven through their commitment in defending the principles and ideals against the previous agenda of the (party) traitors,” they said.

The statement was signed by Mohd Najwan Halimi (Selangor), Azam Karap (Perlis), P Prabakaran (Kuala Lumpur), Raymond Ahuar (Sabah), Saifunnizam Sam (Sarawak), Mohammed Firdaus Johari (Kedah), R Yuneswaran (Johor), Prasanth Kumar Brakasam (Melaka), Muhd Hafiz Muhd Kasasi (Kelantan), Fahmi Zainol (Penang), Mohamad Hairul Amir Sabri (Perak), Mohd Mustaqim Abdul Jalil (Pahang), Mohd Hafiz Mohamad (Negeri Sembilan), and Nazhan Zulkifli Amin (Terengganu).

They said they were of the view that the matter should be solved amicably through internal party channels.

“We believe that the issue can be harmonised in the Malaysia’s PKR youth leadership council meeting that will involve all leaders of PKR youth together with state youth leaders.

“Therefore, we urge that all leadership and members of PKR youth at every level to stay calm and be fair, while giving enough room for our leadership to clarify the situation.”

Earlier, a joint-statement by PKR Youth vice-chief Jestin Raj Savarimuthu and six other youth excos asked Akmal and other leaders involved in the leaked discussion to resign.

In the Whatsapp screenshot published by a portal, several PKR leaders and also PKR youth leaders appeared to express dissatisfaction with Anwar, after they themselves claimed to have been disappointed by the party president.