WAO said six of the seven exco members had resigned on Jan 19 due to a breakdown in their working relationship with its executive director, Sumitra Visvanathan, who has been suspended since Feb 2.

“The remaining exco member who did not resign is Tan Hei Zel, WAO’s vice-president,” it said in a statement.

It said an independent investigation panel has been appointed following Sumitra’s suspension.

“The WAO exco will take steps to ensure that the investigation is carried out in a fair and just manner.

“Any future communication should be directed to the WAO’s vice-president,” it said.

WAO added that the new exco will be confirmed after it has held the annual general meeting scheduled for April 28.

The WAO exco is now composed of Tan Hei Zel, Maria Erica Van Wynen, Divvyananthini Manoharan, Ivy Josiah, Meera Samanther, Majidah Hashim and Shoba Aiyar.