SEREMBAN: Four state PKR assemblymen here are claiming that many party supporters are unhappy with the performance of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun as state party chief.

       The four – Datuk M. Ravi (Sri Tanjung), Datuk Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek (Ampangan), Datuk Ismail Ahmad (Labu) and Datuk Michael Yek (Chuah) – expressed hope in a statement on Monday (Sept 6) that party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will step in and resolve the matter.

       "This is an internal matter and we have full confidence in our president to resolve this," they said.

       Earlier on Monday, all except Ismail had denied they attended a meeting on Sunday calling for Aminuddin to step down as state party chief.

       Ravi, Mohamad Rafie and Yek had also denied signing a press statement on the matter.

       Ravi, who is also Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly, had suggested that disciplinary action be taken against those behind the move.

       "I admit that we have differing views on some matters and there are weaknesses in the party that need to be addressed.

       "But sending out a letter with names of those not even present at a meeting is not the way to do things.

       "This is an internal party matter and should be discussed among us," he said when met at Wisma Negri.

       Ravi said some party members proposed earlier that Aminuddin should focus on running the state administration while the post of state party chief should be held by another individual.

       This, he said, was merely to better prepare the party for the next general election as Aminuddin would have his hands full running the state government.

       He said there were plans to submit a proposal to Anwar in April but this did not happen due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "The MB has performed well during this pandemic and came up with many initiatives to help the people. These should be lauded.

       "We cannot be asking him to step down by issuing statements," he said.

       In the statement in question, issued under the state PKR information letterhead, several PKR members alleged that Aminuddin had also failed to make the party the dominant member of the state government.

       They also alleged that he had failed to strengthen the party both at the division and branch levels.

       Mohamad Rafie also concurred that having differing views was normal in any organisation but such matters should be discussed internally.

       "The state PKR is still as strong as before. As far as I am concerned, we will let our party president look into this," he said.

       Yek, when met, also denied he had signed the statement asking for Aminuddin's removal.

       "Party matters should be discussed internally. One should not issue statements as this will only affect our image," he said.

       However, Labu assemblyman Datuk Ismail Ahmad, whose name was also in the statement, refused to comment on the matter.

       Aminuddin also refused to comment when asked.

       "Those who apparently signed the statement have already spoken.

       "I have no problem with it whatsoever," he said.