SEREMBAN:Yusof Tapar has been removed from his post as the Negri PKR information chief for making a public statement on internal party matters.
He was removed by state PKR chief Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and the sacking took effect immediately.
Yusop, when contacted, confirmed that he received a letter on the removal adding that he was already expecting it.
"I am not sad. In fact, it makes me happier as I can now speak openly," he said.
Yusop said he had always made it known that he was unhappy with Aminuddin's leadership.
His removal, he said, also showed that no one was allowed to speak up about party matters.
"Previously, any divisional leader who spoke out was suspended or even sacked if he disagreed with the leaders. To me, this is an unhealthy culture," he said, adding that he would remain loyal to PKR despite the sacking.
On Sunday (Sept 5), a group of party members had among others, alleged that Aminuddin had failed to strengthen the party both at the division and branch levels and this could adversely affect its performance in the general election.
In a statement issued using the state PKR Information letterhead, they also claimed that he had failed to make the party the dominant member of the state government.
On Monday (Sept 6), four state PKR assemblyman - Datuk M. Ravi (Sri Tanjung), Datuk Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek (Ampangan), Datuk Ismail Ahmad (Labu) and Datuk Michael Yek (Chuah) - had expressed hope that party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would step in and resolve problems in the state leadership.
Ravi, who is also state legislative assembly Deputy Speaker, said some party members had in April proposed 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.
Aminuddin has since said he would be meeting Anwar soon on the matter.