'There are calls for Iskandar Dzulkarnain to be fired' - Zainol Fadzi

IPOH - Perak Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leaves it to the party's top leadership to decide on any action against Kuala Kangsar member of parliament Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, who had recently announced his support for the Unity government.

The party's state secretary, Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin, said this decision was unanimously agreed upon by Perak Barsatu after a meeting with several members of parliament, all state assembly members in Perak, and division leaders on Oct 17.

He added that Perak Bersatu lacks authority to impose any disciplinary actions on Iskandar, who is also Bersatu treasurer.

"We have decided to leave the matter to the highest leadership and Perikatan Nasional (PN) central leadership because the state of Bersatu has no locus standi to act.

“We cannot take any action because we lack the authority to dismiss him, even though there have been suggestions among the state committee members.

“However, we cannot proceed, especially as the appointment of the state Bersatu treasurer is made by the top leadership," he told reporters here today.

Furthermore, Zainol added that Iskandar would continue to hold the treasurer position until a decision was made by the highest leadership.

He also added that they were also waiting for further instructions regarding the issue of the mass resignation of most of the members of Gerik Bersatu.

He added that the Gerik Bersatu Division currently has no leader after the acting division head and several committee members stepped down.

These resignations do not affect the position of Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob, who also resigned from his position as the Bersatu division secretary.

Sinar Harian reported last Saturday that Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would determine Iskandar's fate during the Bersatu leadership meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Last week, Iskandar announced his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership after considering the continuous pleas from constituents and emphasising the urgent need to address the crisis of rising living costs in his area.

Following this statement, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that a meeting would be held in a few days to discuss the matter and decide the next steps regarding Iskandar.

Hamzah, who is also the opposition leader, alleged that Iskandar had been threatened to support the government and, if unwilling to do so, would be charged with corruption.