FORMER Segamat MP Datuk Seri Dr Edmund Santhara Kumar is back in PKR, but his return to the party does not settle a separate RM10 million claim arising from a bond he signed before the 2018 general election.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh confirmed Santhara’s reinstatement in a letter dated Sept 30, following approval by the party’s Central Leadership Council at its Sept 27 meeting.
The letter said Santhara could resume party activities and duties, subject to PKR’s constitution, rules and decisions.
It also specifically maintained that his reinstatement had no bearing on his obligations under the RM10 million bond dated April 24, 2018.
Any matters relating to the bond are to be discussed with PKR president and treasurer-general, according to the letter, a copy of which has circulated among party members.
Party sources have confirmed the document is genuine.
The timing is notable as PKR is pursuing separate legal action against Santhara and 15 other former lawmakers over the same bond arrangement.
In February, the party filed a suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking RM10 million from Santhara and five other former MPs — Baru Bian, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Datuk Mansor Othman, Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon and Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
A second suit, filed later that month, names 10 former state assemblymen and seeks RM10 million from each of them.
PKR’s case is that the lawmakers had agreed to pay the amount within seven days if they left the party, joined another political party or became independent representatives after winning their seats on a PKR ticket.
The party says the defendants ceased to be members on Feb 24, 2020 after backing a coalition other than Pakatan Harapan. Their memberships were subsequently terminated by the party, with certificates issued confirming the decision.
Fuziah is named as plaintiff in both actions in her capacity as PKR secretary-general.
Santhara’s political journey since winning Segamat for PKR in 2018 has taken him through several parties.
He joined Bersatu in August 2020 following the collapse of the PH administration and later served as a deputy minister under the Perikatan Nasional government.
Santhara subsequently left Bersatu and joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia in October 2022.
At the time of his departure from PKR, he said he had been sacked for supporting then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, rather than leaving the party voluntarily.
It is understood that similar reinstatement letters have been issued to other former PKR lawmakers, although Fuziah has yet to publicly confirm those cases.
For Santhara, the reinstatement restores his place in PKR, while the party’s RM10 million claim remains a separate matter to be resolved through the legal process. – October 3, 2026
