Nor Hizwan and Zakaria are believed to be closely linked to caretaker plantation industries and commodities minister Zuraida Kamaruddin. Nor Hizwan used to be her political secretary.

In a Facebook post, Sng said the duo’s suspension was related to a PBM Supreme Council meeting on Oct 7 which he did not call for, though he was the party’s president.

“The meeting was conducted at the same time as the Budget 2023 speech (in the Dewan Rakyat) by the finance minister and I was only informed of the outcome after it was held.

“The reason given for the meeting was said to be to appoint Zuraida as PBM president, when the position was never vacant,” he said.

Sng condemned the action, calling it political manoeuvring that had undermined his leadership while causing confusion among PBM members and the general public.

“As such, their positions will be suspended until a disciplinary committee is set up to look into the matter after the elections,” he said.

In the meantime, he said, deputy secretary-general Jenny Chiew will act in Nor Hizwan’s place.

Yesterday, Sng insisted he was still the PBM president and will be signing the appointment letters of candidates (surat watikah) for the 15th general election (GE15).

Stating that he had neither resigned from his position nor relinquished his party membership, he confirmed that he would be defending the Julau seat as a PBM candidate.

He had previously insisted there was no conflict between him and Zuraida, and that he just wanted the transition carried out according to the “right procedures” to avoid PBM facing any problems with the Registrar of Societies.

According to PBM’s constitution, the president can suspend a party member temporarily while waiting for action from its disciplinary committee.

This five-man committee must be appointed by the Supreme Council and chaired by one of its two deputy presidents.

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