Scuffles break out at PKR Youth Congress in Melaka: Reports
07 December, 2019
The opening of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth Congress on Friday (Dec 6) was marred by a series of scuffles.
According to Malaysian media reports, two PKR factions became embroiled in a heated exchange outside the event hall after a sacked youth chairman and a few others tried to force their way into the conference hall at the Melaka International Trade Center.
Many of the event delegates had objected to allowing sacked PKR Youth permanent chairman Muhammad Mizan Adli Mohd Nor to enter the venue, said the Star.
The report added that Muhammad Mizan had initially managed to enter the hall but was soon ejected by several people.
Scores of PKR Youth security personnel clad in black then clashed with Muhammad Mizan and a few other men who attempted to enter the hall.
A video of the incident circulating on social media showed a scrum of people pushing and shoving while shouting at each other.
Malay Mail reported that the scuffles went on while the congress was taking place.
Its "first order of business" was to select a new permanent chairman after Muhammad Mizan and his deputy were sacked last week by youth leadership chief Akmal Nasrullah Md Nasir, the report said.
Malay Mail also reported that a stone was thrown into a crowd as the party's youth delegates were making their way out for lunch and Friday prayers.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said that members who were involved in disrupting the congress would be expelled. He also asked for the police’s cooperation in investigating and taking appropriate action.
Muhammad Mizan and his former deputy, Mohd Ramly Ahmad, are seen to be aligned to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali while Akmal Nasrullah is a member of Anwar's faction, the report added.
He accused Akmal of employing "gangsters" to stop him from attending the congress, the Malay Mail reported.
Muahmmad Mizan was also quoted by the New Straits Times as saying he was “grabbed violently” and that he had likely sustained bruises.
Scuffles also took place outside the trade centre. Footage shared online shows the brawl spilling into the compound of the trade centre, with attendees running after those from rival groups while shouting vulgarities.
Muahmmad Mizan and his deputy Mohd Ramly Ahmad were sacked on Nov 27 by PKR's youth wing for being above 35 years old.
A letter sent to them also claimed they had received more votes than the number of delegates who showed up at last year’s PKR Youth National Convention.
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