PKR polls: Ex-JB chief disheartened after 'daylight robbery'

Summary

• Akmal is soldiering on in the PKR polls despite alleged fraud in the divisional election.

• Ex-Johor Bahru PKR chief says he is doing so as a sign of solidarity with other party members.

Former Johor Bahru PKR chief Akmal Nasir said he has lost heart to continue running for a post in the party’s central leadership after losing the division race.

In a social media post, the Johor Bahru MP said he was disappointed over alleged fraud in the divisional election.

Akmal did not elaborate on what he meant. However, it is believed the deputy energy transition and water transformation minister was referring to the “headless body” outcomes in the polls.

“After being ‘ditipu siang-siang’ (robbed in broad daylight) during the division election, I have felt disheartened to contest the MPP (central leadership council) post,” he said on X.

However, Akmal said, he decided to soldier on after seeing many of his comrades also fall victim to an alleged conspiracy, which includes an attempt to sideline PKR incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

“However, after seeing many of my friends at other divisions had also fallen victim, on top of a systematic effort to get at @rafiziramli, I continue in the contest as a sign of solidarity with everyone,” he added.

Akmal is one of the party leaders who contested under Rafizi’s team during this year’s PKR polls.

On April 21, Akmal failed to defend his seat as Johor Bahru PKR division chief after securing 587 votes against former Johor Bahru PKR Youth chief Taufiq Ismail, who had 709 votes.

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