PETALING JAYA: A group of six former PKR Youth leaders have called for an emergency general meeting to elect a new Youth chief, claiming that more than two-thirds of the wing’s division chiefs have lost confidence in Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

       The six – Najwan Halimi (Selangor Youth chief), Azam Karap (Perlis Youth chief), Syed Badli Shah Syed Omar (vice-Youth chief), Naqib Nasaruddin (PKR Youth assistant secretary), Fakhrul Razi Zailan (strategic deputy director) and Shahrul Nizam (Youth student bureau chief) – said Akmal had failed to carry out his responsibilities wisely when he axed them from their party positions recently.

       They said Akmal was conducting an organisational reshuffle when he removed them, when such a move should have been applied to the entire PKR Youth leadership.

       The six also claimed that as many as 110 out of 137 Youth division chiefs have lost confidence in Akmal’s leadership.

       “It is clear that Akmal is the weakest and most ineffective leader in the history of PKR Youth.

       “PKR Youth must hold an EGM to appoint a new Youth chief with credibility,” said the six in a joint statement.

       Amid the in-fighting, Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat has been appointed the new Selangor PKR Youth chief.

       In a statement yesterday, Akmal said he appointed Chua after considering six candidates who were put forth during a meeting with 18 PKR Youth division heads.

       Akmal said his main consideration for the decision was to ensure PKR’s ideology would be upheld and that Pakatan Harapan would emerge victorious in the next election.

       He said Chua would announce his new committee after discussions with the division heads.

       Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Johor Baru, Akmal said his decision to remove the six and dissolve Selangor and Perlis Youth committees was to give opportunities for younger members to lead.

       “I believe there must be a continuity of leadership and this is proof to the youth out there that PKR provides opportunities for them.

       “I reminded fellow members not to speculate on the matter and be engrossed with fractions because as the party Youth chief, I am a friend to all,” he said.

       Akmal added that the decision came about following a special motion on the extension of tenure for positions held by the 2018/2021 leadership, which was approved during the recent PKR congress.

       “During the congress, it was decided that the party postpone its election until May 2023.

       “However, I see there is a need to groom more future leaders as many of us, including myself, can no longer continue with our current position due to the age limit,” he said, adding that when he appointed Najwan to lead Selangor PKR Youth some two years ago, it was also met with backlash and disgruntled voices.