PKR deputy president candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub today said he accepted defeat by Azmin Ali, in an election that he previously claimed was riddled with irregularities.

pkr congress 281110 mustaffa kamil ayub “I admit Azmin has his strengths. We have chosen him and I can accept it,” said Mustaffa during his winding up speech as the outgoing party vice-president.

Mustaffa added that he had followed Azmin in their exit from Umno and had never once regretted the decision.

“Winning and losing is a normal matter; we must always be ready to win or lose. I have won and lost but I will still continue to fight for PKR,” he said.

According to the official results announced today, Azmin polled 19,543 votes. Mustaffa’s official votes have not been announced but based on the unofficial results, his tally is only a fraction of Azmin’s.

In his speech, Mustaffa also reassured the party delegates that his earlier criticisms of the electoral process meant no harm and that he remains steadfastly with the party.

“They ask me why I appeared with him (Zaid Ibrahim) in a press conference; I was there because he was a PKR member. I was there because I wanted to call for improvements in the elections.

“But I never wanted to condemned Anwar (Ibrahim) or Azmin to leave the party,” said Mustaffa to roars of approval from the delegates.

Staying put in PKR

Mustaffa was referring to Zaid’s press conference on Nov 9 where the latter blamed Anwar and Azmin for all the party’s problems faced and urged the duo to step down .

At the event that took place at Zaid’s residence, Mustaffa had issued the party a 48-hour ultimatum to correct alleged polls irregularities or suspend the process.

He explained to delegates today that he was merely representing the voice of the party grassroots and had wanted to highlight flaws in the elections process to the party leadership for improvement.

“The complaints I raised are not meant to weaken the party. I congratulate the secretary-general. I know he worked hard. I understand the challenges faced by (elections committee head) Molly Cheah.

“I made the criticisms because this is a party based on the principle of reform. But we must maintain decorum. Followers can criticise the party. This is the meaning of new politics,” said Mustaffa.

Mustaffa also told delegates that there had been overtures for him to leave PKR after failing to win the deputy presidency, but such offers were turned down.

"But I said 'no'. I am with Keadilan. PKR as a party is my future, for my family, for the Chinese, Indian and Kadazan communities."