PETALING JAYA, 1 June 2009: The leadership tussle in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is expected to be “put to rest” by this week, its president Datuk M Kayveas said today.
He said the Registrar of Societies (ROS) had all the relevant documents and the ROS only had to ascertain whether the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) last month held by rival, Senator Datuk T Murugiah, was legal.
“Our stand on the issue is clear and we regard the EGM as illegal because it did not follow our by-laws,” Kayveas told Bernama.
“Under our by-laws, a candidate for the post of the president should have been a member for at least seven years before being eligible for the post.
“According to our records, Murugiah has been a member since 3 November,” he said.
The other conditions needed for an EGM are that it must have the support of at least three-quarters of the supreme council and should have a specific purpose and not be held for an election.
“Obviously, Murugiah did not meet the requirement of the law,” Kayveas argued.
However, he was glad that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was seeking the registrar’s report on the issue.
Kayveas said all preparations for the party’s general assembly were on track and the meeting would be held as scheduled on 7 June. He added that it would be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The party completed its nominations last Saturday where Kayveas was returned unopposed as the party’s president for a fourth five-year term. Nine others were nominated for the three vice-president’s post while 29 others will vie for the 25 supreme council seats at the assembly.
A total of 2,200 delegates are eligible to vote.
The fallout between Kayveas and Murugiah, who is also deputy minister in the prime minister’s department, occurred when Murugiah was sacked from the party. Murugiah subsequently held an EGM and declared himself the “new PPP president”.
Since then, there have been accusations and counter accusations between supporters of both factions.
Kayveas reiterated that for the sake of party unity and the stability and image of Barisan Nasional, of which PPP is a member, supporters of both factions should “stop the press war”.
“When the dust settles after this, it would be easier for us to reconcile and work together for the betterment of the party and nation,” he added.
On Murugiah’s position as the PPP representative in government, Kayveas said: “As of yesterday, Murugiah is no more a PPP member as he failed to appeal against his sacking.”
Asked whether the party would seek the removal of Murugiah as the deputy minister, Kayveas said: “Wait till the general assembly.”
Bernama understands, however, that there are moves to table a resolution at the party’s general assembly to seek Murugiah’s removal.
