In a statement, PBM said the decision to restructure the party was made at its Supreme Council meeting on Feb 10 and it was aimed at “cleaning up” PBM after the 15th general election (GE15).

“This step was taken to rebuild the party’s strength so that it can continue to be relevant in building the country alongside the unity government,” it said

Besides Choong and Wong Judat, the party also announced that Paul Yong would take over as senior vice-president, while Chua Lian Chye is now vice-president. Masir Kujat, on the other hand, has been appointed as the party’s new secretary-general.

PBM said that restructuring at the state level had also been completed, allowing it to focus on preparations to strengthen its grassroots and rebrand the party.

Last year, PBM saw weeks of infighting between party president Larry Sng and the party’s 11 Supreme Council members who were suspended in October. They included former plantation industries and commodities minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, Lembah Jaya assemblyman Haniza Talha and Sementa assemblyman Daroyah Alwi.

The suspensions were in relation to the members’ alleged involvement in undermining the interest of the party and its leadership.

Sng eventually sacked Zuraida and 10 others after they failed to respond to show cause letters issued by the party.