PKR's disciplinary bureau and its central polls committee have been urged to act on wild accusations and slanderous remarks being spewed by party members towards their opponents in the run-up to this year's party elections.

PKR Permatang Pauh youth vice-chief Haidhar Auni Dzolkapli (above) said such remarks have marred the party's polls this year particularly since candidates have been given the opportunity to campaign for nine weeks.

"If ignored, such claims will turn cancerous for the party," Haidhar said in a statement today.

The candidates for the coming PKR polls are to be chosen for the 2018-2021 term. There are 91 candidates for 20 central committee posts.

While Anwar Ibrahim has won the PKR presidency post uncontested, the campaign is heating up for the deputy president's post, a tussle between incumbent Azmin Ali, who is Economics Affairs minister, and former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

The polls have also been marred by allegations of a plot between Azmin, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Council of Eminent Persons chair Daim Zainuddin to prevent Anwar from assuming the PM's post in the future.

Both Mahathir and Azmim have denied the claim as baseless.

"This period should be used by all candidates to campaign in a matured and healthy manner," said Haidhar who is a candidate for the Permatang Pauh youth chief's post.

"As a ruling party in the government, it is only appropriate that all candidates avoid character assassination of their opponents," he stressed.

Stern action

Haidhar said such campaign methods would destroy the party and the public, who were intently watching such shenanigans, would lose confidence in PKR and the government.

"The disciplinary bureau and the party's polling committee should take swift and stern action against any candidates caught doing such things," Haidhar said.

"We in Permatang Pauh youth wing reject the unhealthy culture of mudslinging between opponents as polls are the time to elect the future leaders of PKR," he added.