Accepting Tamim in party will send ‘wrong message’, says PKR man

2026-03-09 - 07:54

Selayang PKR chief Chua Wei Kiat said accepting activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak into PKR could give the public the impression that the party condones religious extremism. (PKR pic) PETALING JAYA: Accepting activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak’s application to join PKR would send the public the “wrong message”, says a party leader. Tamim was previously arrested along with preacher Zamri Vinoth and several others over a planned rally outside the Sogo shopping mall against so-called “illegal” houses of worship. In a statement, Selayang PKR chief Chua Wei Kiat said that accepting Tamim into PKR could give the public the impression the party condones religious extremism. “If PKR accepts the controversial activist Tamim Dahri as a member, it will send the wrong message to the public,” he said. Chua stressed that PKR must ensure it does not provide a platform for provocateurs or those who promote divisive sentiments based on race or religion. PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh yesterday said Tamim’s application to join the party will undergo its standard vetting process before any approval is granted. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last month said local councils have the authority to act on any house of worship intentionally built in breach of existing laws. Anwar, the PKR president, also said any action violating the law or stoking racial tensions would be met with the full force of the law. Chua, who is also the Rawang assemblyman, noted that PKR’s success throughout the years has been achieved through a moderate political approach. “We risk sending the wrong impression to the public ... that we condone the demolition of houses of worship without involving authorities. “(This is) even though we have clearly stipulated that legal procedures must be followed to prevent communal tensions.”