PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali has not attended a single party central leadership council (MPP) or political bureau meeting since being re-elected last November.
This was confirmed by party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, according to Malaysiakini.
When asked if Azmin had ever sought leave of absence, Saifuddin said curtly: “(He) never stated his reasons.”
Malaysiakini reported that it had enquired about Azmin’s attendance record after he asked the press why was he being “targeted” over his absenteeism from important party meetings.
Azmin also did not attend the party’s recent retreat in Port Dickson, where he was scheduled to speak.
The political bureau – which performs an executive function – meets weekly, while the MPP – the party’s highest decision-making body – meets monthly.
There are currently 41 members of the MPP, of which 28 are elected while 13 are co-opted.
Twenty-two of the 41 appeared on Azmin’s preferred candidates’ list (commonly known as cai) during the party election last year.
Malaysiakini last spotted Azmin at a political bureau meeting in September last year.
Earlier today, Azmin told reporters outside the Selangor legislative assembly that it was normal for elected representatives to be missing from party meetings if they have government duties to fulfil.
“It is a normal process. Why target me?” he asked, when quizzed about his absence from the party’s MPP meeting yesterday.
Azmin, however, did not specify what government duties prevented him from attending the meeting yesterday.
Besides Azmin, among those absent were vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin and Women’s wing chief Haniza Talha.
Also absent was Selangor PKR chairman Amirudin Shari, who was reportedly on his way to the meeting when it ended early.
Yesterday, PKR communications director Fahmi Fazil said the secretary-general had issued a reminder to all MPP members to attend meetings.
He said the reminder also stated that dates for meetings have been decided months in advance.
“The leaders have been reminded to be present (for the meetings) and prioritise their attendance so that we can, as a party, coordinate on decisions taken.
“That reminder has been issued to all leaders,” he said.