PKR POLLS | PKR deputy president contender Rafizi Ramli has warned his rivals that any allegations of money politics made against leaders aligned to him would only backfire.

Citing accusations of bribery levelled at vice-presidential candidate S Kesavan, Rafizi said it was a "pure set-up" to discredit leaders aligned to him.

"I think when it comes to party elections, the party members know better.

"I think they understand who has more money, who has more power, who has positions," Rafizi told reporters outside the voting centre for Pandan PKR, where he is also up against three other contenders for the post of division chief.

"In the case of Kesavan, it was a pure set-up," he added.

Rafizi also cited his victory in Perak over his contender for deputy president, Azmin Ali, as evidence that such allegations would backfire against his rivals.

Read more: 'No formal complaint of money politics against Sg Siput MP'

On Friday, Kesavan denied offering an RM500 bribe to a PKR member in exchange for her support in the party polls. 

The allegation was detailed in a police report lodged by Sungai Siput PKR member Rohaida Awang the night before.

In her report, Rohaida said she was asked to go to Kesavan’s service centre where she was given a cheque for RM500.

She subsequently cashed the cheque and lodged reports with both the police and the MACC.

Commenting further, Rafizi reiterated Kesavan's explanation that Rohaida had requested for financial assistance, which was approved through a cheque from his service centre.

"Anyone in their right mind, if you want to buy votes, you will not issue a service centre's cheque, right?" asked Rafizi who pointed out that Rohaida had also immediately lodged a report with the authorities.

At the time, Kesavan also said he was unaware that Rohaida is currently vying for the Sungai Siput PKR division women’s wing vice-chief position, from the "rival" camp.

'PKR must tighten rules on money politics'

Overall, Rafizi said he was happy that various leaders including Azmin and PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim had spoken out against money politics in the party.

"I'm very glad that across the board from Anwar, Azmin and myself, the message about money politics has been universal.

"It is bad, we have to oppose it, and it is something that I hope whatever the outcome of the election, it is something that PKR has to see seriously so that we are able to formulate ways to tighten our election rules in the future," he said.

Responding to Rafizi's earlier claims that money politics was being used to win votes in the PKR election, Azmin had advised younger leaders to emulate party veterans who struggled for decades without having to rely on such practices.

Anwar, meanwhile, acknowledged complaints of money politics in the party polls and similarly lashed out against the alleged perpetrators.