PKR POLLS | There has been no breach in the new membership application process of the Julau PKR division in Sarawak, the party's communications director Fahmi Fadzil said in a statement today.

The PKR political bureau, which met last night, was told by secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution that applications from new members were put into the membership roll after approvals from the bureau and the central leadership council (MPP), Fahmi said.

On June 12, the PKR headquarters received a huge number of applications from the Julau division, 14 days before the deadline for newly-registered party members to be eligible to vote in the party elections, he said.

"At a special meeting held on June 25, the MPP gave power to the political bureau to verify the final list of new membership applications. The list was then verified during the bureau's meeting held on June 27," said Fahmi, who is the MP for Lembah Pantai.

He added: "The list was later sent to every division for examination and objection which ended on July 17. The party headquarters did not receive any objection against the new members registered in the Julau division.

"Based on these facts and given the views that there was no breach in the new membership applications, the political bureau was informed that the new membership applications in Julau were legitimate."

The intake of new members in the Julau PKR division courted controversy after its membership shot up from 603 on June 26 to 13,000 a day later.

MACC probing vote buying

Sarawak PKR information chief Vernon Kedit raised the issue of the sudden spikes in membership in both the Julau and Sarikei divisions.

Meanwhile, the MACC is investigating allegations of vote buying in PKR, including in its Julau division and Julau MP Larry Sng was summoned for questioning.

Fahmi also said PKR's election committee (JPP) has set Nov 10 and 11 for 29 more divisions to conduct their elections.

A new poll will be conducted in the Keningau division, Sabah on Nov 10 and re-elections will be held in nine "problematic" divisions on Nov 11.

This are the party's Pensiangan and Tawau divisions in Sabah, the Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Tangga Batu, Bukit Katil, Kota Melaka and Jasin divisions in Malacca as well as the Kuala Selangor division in Selangor.

"The political bureau has also instructed the disciplinary board to immediately investigate all instances of chaos creation and disruption during the party elections.

"Stern action will be taken against those violate party discipline," Fahmi said, adding that members who were suspended or dismissed were prohibited from taking part in the party elections and campaigning activities.