Establishing the congregational prayer without waiting for an imam who is frequently late

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The imam of our mosque is frequently absent, and when he is present, he is often late. If he does come, his lateness is such that it is difficult for the congregation, which includes elderly people and the sick. His question is: Is it permissible for the congregation to establish the prayer and perform it without waiting for him?

Answer:
Yes, if it is difficult for them and he makes this a habit, they should not continue with him. They should go to the mosque branch office and request that he be replaced by someone else, and they should not remain silent about it. It is not enough for them to simply pray; rather, they are required to go to the authority in order to have him removed from the mosque and another person appointed in his place. Yes.