Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has asked for proof that 97 members of the Bayan Baru and Tanjung divisions had left the party.

Abdul Malik, who is chairman of the state Domestic Trade, Consumer and Religious Affairs committee, said today the group spokesman should give the names of the 97 members to corroborate his claim.

“I do not believe that all 97 had crossed over to KIMMA (the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress) because I know personally how many Indian Muslim members there are in the two divisions,” he told reporters here.

He believed the spokesman was prompted by family jealousy.

“He (the group leader) had threatened the party for the past few weeks over the appointment of one of his relatives,” he said.

He said the party would investigate the matter.

Bernama reported on Saturday that 97 PKR members from Bayan Baru and Tanjong here have left the party, expressing disappointment with the leadership.

Their spokesman, Mohamed Ibrahim A. Siahoo, said the PKR leadership had not kept its promise to serve the people, especially Indian Muslims.

They submitted their application forms to join KIMMA witnessed by chairman of the Penang Umno liaison committee Datuk Zainal Abdidin Osman.