FULL REPORT PETALING JAYA: Party elections in several PKR divisions were today marred by underhand tactics which were played out to ensure leaders close to Anwar
Ibrahim-Azmin Ali win, claimed several party insiders today.
They said that tactics undertaken included allowing a bankrupt incumbent to contest, names of contestants removed from the ballot papers and recounts ordered to ensure deputy president nominations are given to Azmin.
“What is clear is that Anwar and Azmin are clearly under siege as these divisions are leaning towards Zaid Ibrahim.
Zaid and Azmin are facing off for the deputy president's post. The latter is clearly seen as party supremo Anwar's annointed successor.
“The situation is very disappointing. In certain divisions, chaotic scenes were created so that pro-Zaid people will not win,” said a party insider.
“As a result, elections in these divisions had to be adjourned to another date. I am sure by then some technical issues would be found to disqualify the people who are challenging Azmin's boys.
“These are all done to ensure Azmin's people are in place and that he gets all the nominations for the deputy's post from these divisions,” he added.
Among the divisions whose elections were adjourned included Kapar, Klang and Petaling Jaya Selatan. Subang's meeting was also adjourned earlier today following a fight but was reconvened later in the day, with results expected to come in later tonight.
“In all these divisions, Zaid's boys were leading in the elections and would have nominated Zaid for the deputy's post,” the insider said.
In fact, the insider added, Subang, for which party vice-president R Sivarasa was contesting for the division leader's post, had nominated Zaid for the deputy's post when fight broke out.
Boost for Zaid
He further disclosed that Zaid's team had also made inroads in two other pro-Azmin divisions – Petaling Jaya Utara (Selangor) and Teluk Kemang (Negri Sembilan).
“In PJ Utara, Azmin-loyalist Elizabeth Wong is being thrashed by a newcomer. It's the same in Teluk Kemang where vocal Azmin supporter Kamarul Bahrin Abbas has been defeated,” he said.
Teluk Kemang has also nominated Zaid for the deputy's post in delivering a major blow to Azmin.
Zaid also received a major boost when the Lembah Pantai division, helmed by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah, nominated Zaid for the deputy's post.
But trouble is looming in both these divisions with pro-Azmin supporters objecting the outcome.
“Zaid seems to be making major inroads this week in getting the nominations despite the dirty tricks being played out by his rival.
“However we are confident of winning the support of these big divisions whose elections have been adjourned,” said a member of Zaid's team.
FMT learnt that nominations from these big divisions offer a big boost for Zaid as they are bigger than states like Terengganu and Johor that have offered support for Azmin last week.
Bankrupt leader in contest
Chaos also erupted at the Pesiangan PKR division polls in Sabah after incumbent chief Danny Andipai attempted to defend his post despite being disqualified on grounds of bankruptcy.
FMT learnt that until this morning, the main challenger for the post and PKR vice-president Jeffery Kitingan was informed that Danny was disqualified.
"But when polling was about to start today, Danny was there to contest," said an insider.
The insider also alleged that certain people aligned to Azmin and his loyalist in the state Ansari Abdullah made sure that Danny contested in the polls.
"They obviously don't want Jeffery to win. For that they are ready to break the party's own election regulations to ensure their man contests and wins," he added.
Azmin is relying on Ansari to ensure he gets the nominations from Sabah.
The insider also complained that the party leadership and the election committee, both already accused of leaning in support of Azmin, had done nothing to stop Danny from contesting.
Jeffery's boys' biggest target is however PKR organising secretary Raden Shamsul Akmar who is in charge of sending the election monitors to oversee polling.
"Raden had informed Jeffery that Danny is ineligible to contest but today his own election monitors allowed Danny and his supporters into the division meeting.
"We can't get hold of Raden now and the election is being allowed with Danny in the race," said a Jeffery loyalist.
Jeffrey won the race for the division by a 170-vote majority over Andipai. Jeffery and his boys are backing Zaid for the deputy post.
Division elections which started last weekend will end next weekend. So far Azmin is leading the race for nominations for the deputy's post.
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