The 15 members of the Kg Petani-Kg Pelet village security and development committee (JKKK) were appointed for a two-year term in January 2017 and expected to remain in their posts until the end of the year.

However, they were replaced by a new committee.

“PKR must come out and explain why we were dismissed,” they said in a video which has gone viral on WhatsApp.

The group said there had been no explanation forthcoming about their dismissal.

“They merely sent us letters informing us we had been sacked,” said a spokesman.

The letters, which they received yesterday, said a new JKKK committee had been set up on March 1. It is learnt that the new group consists of PKR members.

JKKK members are by political appointment from parties which form the state government. The prerogative to appoint and sack members lies with the state executive council.

Kg Petani and Kg Pelet are part of Permatang Pasir, one of three state seats in Permatang Pauh, and which was won by PAS in the last general election.

Going by Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) general rule that Amanah will contest in state seats where PAS is the incumbent, Permatang Pasir is likely to see a candidate from the PAS splinter party at the coming polls.

As such, five of the eight village committees here are filled by political appointees from Amanah, while the other three are for PKR.

A source told FMT that PKR had long eyed Permatang Pasir, and has been campaigning to contest in the seat.

But it is understood that the PH presidential council had earmarked the seat for Amanah.

Meanwhile, the state government has vowed to settle the issue, and plans to meet both parties.

Deputy Chief Minister I Mohd Rashid Hasnon said the Kg Petani-Kg Pelet issue had been discussed numerous times over the past two years.

“We want our grassroots PH members to stay close and be united,” Rashid told FMT.