PKR POLLS | PKR deputy president contender Rafizi Ramli says he was attacked in Keningau, Sabah, this afternoon.

He told Malaysiakini that a man had approached him from behind and attempted to assault him but only managed to graze his head as he was leaving the Keningau party polling centre at about 4pm.

“I was surrounded by a group of people so he could not reach me that much. He hit me on the head a bit but no injury.

“It happened in front of everyone, including police officers.

“I will lodge a police report against him,” he said.

Rafizi also claimed that voting in Keningau was called off about one hour before closing time, causing an uproar among party members who had been waiting outside since morning.

“They decided to call it off at the last minute,” he said.

When contacted, central election committee (JPP) chief Rashid Din denied that voting had been cancelled in Keningau.

“It has not been cancelled, it is ongoing.

“Voting will remain open until everyone has voted,” Rashid told Malaysiakini.

‘Rafizi supporters started it’

Incumbent Keningau division chief Johari Tahir, who was at the scene, claimed that the scuffle broke out after Rafizi had entered the polling centre and “provoked” the JPP officer on duty.

Johari also claimed it was Rafizi’s supporters who had sparked the scuffle.

“Rafizi’s supporters were being violent, hitting the wall, throwing chairs and breaking the door at the entrance of the voting hall,” he said when contacted, adding that he had not personally witnessed the attack on Rafizi.

Rafizi explained that he had gotten involved because the entrance to the hall had allegedly been blocked to only allow certain voters to enter.