PKR sec-gen: Party polls postponement discussed but no decision

Editor's note: This story has been amended to reflect Fuziah Salleh’s denial, which was not carried in the initial version. Malaysiakini regrets the error.

There have been discussions to postpone party polls until the next general election but no decision has been made, said PKR's newly appointed secretary-general Fuziah Salleh.

She denied that the party’s central leadership had agreed to put off internal elections until after the 16th general election.

“No such decision was made at the central committee meeting yesterday,” she said in a statement today.

She confirmed that the matter had been discussed but emphasised that nothing was decided.

This is because the meeting was of the opinion that more engagement sessions should be held at all levels of the party’s leadership before any decision is made.

Earlier, three sources who attended the meeting yesterday told Malaysiakini that the central leadership council had agreed to postpone the polls.

“Yes, the central leadership council discussed postponing the party election until after the 16th general election. The proposal was made by deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

“However, no final decision was made,” said a source who declined to be named.

The sources did not reveal whether the party’s constitution would need to be amended to enable the postponement.

‘Ask the boss’

PKR polls were last held in July 2022 for the 2022-2025 term.

The sources also did not explain whether the postponement means GE16 would be held earlier than 2027, which marks the end of term for the ruling government.

“Regarding this, you need to ask the boss (PKR president Anwar Ibrahim). There may be many matters behind this decision.

“What is important is that the party becomes a team to face the coming general election,” another source said.

Sources also claimed Selayang MP William Leong has been appointed to study the proposal and discuss it with state leaders before tabling his findings to the central leadership committee in November.

In 2021, PKR postponed its party polls for less than 18 months.

The party at that time said there was a provision in its constitution permitting the postponement of polls not exceeding 18 months.

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