PKR polls delayed as 5 divisions audited, Zaliha denies Rafizi link

Summary

• The PKR election committee chief denies that nominations for the central leadership election were delayed due to Rafizi Ramli’s leave or resignation rumours.

• Dr Zaliha Mustafa says the postponement is due to new party rules and that audits of division-level results are ongoing.

• Disputes persist despite audit efforts, with some election candidates dissatisfied even after being briefed by auditors.

PKR election committee chief Dr Zaliha Mustafa denied a perception that nominations for the party’s central leadership election were postponed due to Rafizi Ramli going on leave.

“Of course not. As the prime minister said, taking leave is normal for everyone,” she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

She was asked if the nominations, initially scheduled to open this weekend, were postponed after it was rumoured that PKR deputy president Rafizi would resign from his economy minister post.

The rumour was previously denied by a minister.

Internal rumblings have intensified within PKR following divisional polls that saw several of Rafizi’s key allies lose, hinting at challenges ahead as he prepares to defend his position in the upcoming party election.

Yesterday, Zaliha announced that central-level nominations for the PKR elections would now be held on May 8 and 9, but did not disclose the reason for the new dates.

Today, she explained that the postponement was due to preparations required under the newly amended party rules.

“With the new constitutional amendments, there are many requirements we need to prepare for.

“For example, the delegates list and so on, because it now follows the percentage of votes won by each candidate for division chief.

“That is where we need more time for preparations,” said Zaliha, who is also a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).

Audit still ongoing

Zaliha also confirmed that PKR had engaged international auditors to inspect the party’s division-level election results and said a report is expected next week.

It is understood that the postponement of today’s central leadership election nomination is mainly due to the results of the division-level elections still being audited.

All division chief candidates who garner at least 15 percent of the vote are entitled to nominate delegates to the PKR National Congress.

Delegates will vote for the central leadership at the congress, which is scheduled to begin on May 23.

Disputes even after audit

Earlier, a candidate who won a PKR division chief post, whose contender disputed his victory, claimed there were further objections raised during an audit session yesterday.

“The auditor explained and showed the process, but they were still unhappy,” he said, referring to his opponent as well as another division chief incumbent who also lost against a challenger.

Malaysiakini has contacted both leaders and is withholding their names pending comments.

It is understood that the five PKR divisions with results being audited are Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, Setiawangsa, Puchong, and Jelutong.

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