Zaid’s camp wants PKR polls halted over voting chaos
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
October 29, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s aides demanded today for an immediate stop to the PKR elections following claims that several pro-Zaid divisions were unable to cast their votes.
Zaid’s aides said that they had received reports that four divisions which had either voted for Zaid or were “mobilised” to vote for him were unable to do so, resulting in party members in those divisions leaving the polling centres in “frustration.”
“Today is the first day of polling where thousands of party members are eligible to vote at the polling centres in several Kedah and Kelantan divisions, which should have begun at 10:00 am. However, we have received numerous reports that members were unable to vote at several divisions this morning and many have left in frustration.
“In light of these alarming logistical problems on the very first day of polling, we expect more serious problems ahead. Especially considering that there are only 10 divisions polling today and there will be 79 more divisions polling during this weekend,” said Rashid Azad Khan, Zaid’s election agent and Muhammad Firdaus Christopher, political aide to Zaid, in a joint statement today.
It is understood that the divisions affected are Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Langkawi and Alor Setar where ballot papers were either unavailable or had arrived at the polling centres only at noon. There were also complaints that newly registered PKR members today were already allowed to vote.
The allegations of chaos and discrepancies comes barely a day as PKR heads into its national party leadership elections, and adds to a mounting list of complaints and allegations of unfair voting tactics.
The statement also hit out at the party’s Central Elections Committee (JPP) which had been tasked with ensuring a clean and smooth elections process.
According to Zaid’s assistants, JPP chairman Dr Molly Cheah had informed them that she was no longer “involved” in PKR’s elections process and was also unaware of any briefings conducted late last night by the party secretariat.
“Although the JPP and party secretariat assured us that the election will be conducted professionally to ensure a free and fair election, the above problems have cast serious doubts on the entire election process.
“After discussing these problems with Dr Molly Cheah (the Chairperson of the JPP) this morning, we are now even more disturbed as she claims that she is no longer involved in the management of the election process. Indeed, she said that she has no knowledge of the briefing of the candidates and/or their election agents that was conducted at the eleventh hour last night by the party secretariat. She also said that she regrets the problems faced by voters at the divisions mentioned above but she is unable to do anything about it,” said the statement.
Zaid’s supporters also called for Dr Cheah to be replaced along with the party secretariat for failing to “perform their duties properly”, saying that the responsibility for monitoring the party elections should be handed to others who were capable of executing their duties.
“If the JPP and/or the secretariat proceeds without resolving these basic but fundamental issues, the party will lose the trust of its members and also damage its reputation as a party that fights for democracy and justice for all Malaysians,” added the statement.
The hotly contested post for the party’s deputy presidency will see Zaid go against former Abim member Mustaffa Kamil Ayub and PKR veteran Azmin Ali, who is said to be Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s favourite.
Zaid, who is considered as a PKR outcast due to his growing criticisms against the party has made explicit insinuations that supporters of Azmin, his leading contender in the three-way deputy presidency race, were responsible for the hurdles he was facing in his tilt for the number two post.
The former Umno politician has not minced his words since entering the fray for the deputy presidency, even rejecting outright Anwar’s warning to bypass Umno-owned media like Utusan Malaysia and insisted that the paper’s relentless attacks against the PKR de facto leader could have stemmed from the boycott.
PKR has had a rough run in its first-ever direct party elections as some candidates have accused the party of vote rigging and fraud on the divisional polls level amid violence at some divisional elections.
Since divisional elections began on September 17, 13 divisions have been forced to postpone their meetings.
The losers in the Kelana Jaya division polls had complained of vote rigging and fraud, citing alleged irregularities like unannounced changes in the list of the division committee.
Election results in Hulu Selangor had to be put on hold following allegations that the number of votes exceeded the number of voters while accusations of vote rigging also surfaced in the Tasek Gelugor division polls.
Comments (13)
0 Vote up Vote down
yoongsin2's avatar
yoongsin2 · 9 hours ago
seemed the p k r is more dirty then umno mic mca , all in one ..this is bigger devil , what more when they come to power? i voted for them and now i am reconsidering next ge .
Reply
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
0 Vote up Vote down
kukukaki's avatar
kukukaki · 7 hours ago
PAS agenda - Muslim country;
DAP - Malaysia Malaysia;
PKR ??? : Anwar Ibrahim ?.
Zaid slightly has learnt his lesson.
Reply
+10 Vote up Vote down
laiheng's avatar
laiheng · 9 hours ago
same old, same old...why is every political party so power crazy that fighting for power and personal standing becomes the top motive to become a politician and this includes having to resort to cheating and intimidating people...hello, think about rakyat first...otherwise you guys in PKR will be burried alongside your BN counterparts in the same graveyard come GE13.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+4 Vote up Vote down
ISEEU's avatar
ISEEU · 9 hours ago
I have predicted weeks ago that the people's power to vote will not be able to save Zaid Ibrahim as the people's power will also be used for manipulations of this and that. They wanted to make sure that Zaid failed miserably as he is branded as a 'traitor' and a 'trojan horse'. Every PKR member was so eager and happy that their votes will be counted.Maybe you people out there are too naive and too goody to realise the power of a few of those controlling the polling system. By the time you shouted, the process of polling will be over. I do not trust BN or PR, as power corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sorry to say in the GE, I do not vote for the party, l only vote for the candidate as I do not want to vote for a donkey.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
-4 Vote up Vote down
joe_mamak's avatar
joe_mamak · 8 hours ago
You BN supporters are so desperate that you need to look out for other people's problems.
Why not look at your own backyard too? Or perhaps you close one eye.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+3 Vote up Vote down
Rivelino C Moinin's avatar
Rivelino C Moinin · 8 hours ago
if Datuk Zaid is played out in PKR elections then this is bad for d voters in d next GE-13. we need leaders like Datuk Zaid to propel PKR/PR to party that has d brilliant idea on how to administer d country once PR takes over from bn in d next GE-13.go on Datuk Zaid,we need liberal and more brilliant leaders like you.Sabah & Sarawak PKR voters r all for u!!!
Reply
2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
-6 Vote up Vote down
conrad's avatar
conrad · 8 hours ago
zaid, go fly a kite!
Reply
0 Vote up Vote down
Sang Kancil Guru's avatar
Sang Kancil Guru · 7 hours ago
conrad, get lost if you cannot provide any constructive comment to the discussion!
Reply
+4 Vote up Vote down
Kar Koola Killa 's avatar
Kar Koola Killa · 8 hours ago
Who is trying to sabotage and destroy Zaid Ibrahim?
Don't they all see that Zaid is the future of PKR and of a truly multi-cultural and transparent and just Malaysia?
Anwar Ibrahim! Tell me what is your opinion about this election rigging!
I want a reporter to ask him Anwar about this!
I supported PKR so much during the General Election 2008!
Don't make me spoil my vote when I cast my vote again!
Disappointed in the Azmin faction's power hunger!
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+1 Vote up Vote down
anak bangsa Malaysia's avatar
anak bangsa Malaysia · 8 hours ago
PKR is infected with UMNO culture at the top. look at the names of the PKR leaders, they orginate from UMNO. Even strong chlorex cannot bleach them of the stain.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+3 Vote up Vote down
charles hew's avatar
charles hew · 8 hours ago
My vote goes to DAP or PAS. In the meantime, Keadilan can carry on their internal reformasi. Good luck to them. If the fight is between Keadilan and BN, my vote goes to BN - at least the devil I know rather than the one I don't. Annuar is about time you get out. Even your wife and daughter is smarter than you and I believe their have a more meaningful role to play..
Reply
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Kar Koola Killa 's avatar
Kar Koola Killa · 6 hours ago
Strongly agree here....
If BN lawan PKR, its the same, whether support PKR or BN.
Lost faith in Sivarasa also....
Reply
+4 Vote up Vote down
Mata Kuching's avatar
Mata Kuching · 7 hours ago
It is obvious that PKR and other political parties for that matter are not able to handle direct election just yet . In view of the many discrepancies and the shocking fact that the Election chairperson, Dr Molly Cheah , has either resigned or removed, the election should be suspended until further notice.
October 29, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s aides demanded today for an immediate stop to the PKR elections following claims that several pro-Zaid divisions were unable to cast their votes.
Zaid’s aides said that they had received reports that four divisions which had either voted for Zaid or were “mobilised” to vote for him were unable to do so, resulting in party members in those divisions leaving the polling centres in “frustration.”
“Today is the first day of polling where thousands of party members are eligible to vote at the polling centres in several Kedah and Kelantan divisions, which should have begun at 10:00 am. However, we have received numerous reports that members were unable to vote at several divisions this morning and many have left in frustration.
“In light of these alarming logistical problems on the very first day of polling, we expect more serious problems ahead. Especially considering that there are only 10 divisions polling today and there will be 79 more divisions polling during this weekend,” said Rashid Azad Khan, Zaid’s election agent and Muhammad Firdaus Christopher, political aide to Zaid, in a joint statement today.
It is understood that the divisions affected are Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Langkawi and Alor Setar where ballot papers were either unavailable or had arrived at the polling centres only at noon. There were also complaints that newly registered PKR members today were already allowed to vote.
The allegations of chaos and discrepancies comes barely a day as PKR heads into its national party leadership elections, and adds to a mounting list of complaints and allegations of unfair voting tactics.
The statement also hit out at the party’s Central Elections Committee (JPP) which had been tasked with ensuring a clean and smooth elections process.
According to Zaid’s assistants, JPP chairman Dr Molly Cheah had informed them that she was no longer “involved” in PKR’s elections process and was also unaware of any briefings conducted late last night by the party secretariat.
“Although the JPP and party secretariat assured us that the election will be conducted professionally to ensure a free and fair election, the above problems have cast serious doubts on the entire election process.
“After discussing these problems with Dr Molly Cheah (the Chairperson of the JPP) this morning, we are now even more disturbed as she claims that she is no longer involved in the management of the election process. Indeed, she said that she has no knowledge of the briefing of the candidates and/or their election agents that was conducted at the eleventh hour last night by the party secretariat. She also said that she regrets the problems faced by voters at the divisions mentioned above but she is unable to do anything about it,” said the statement.
Zaid’s supporters also called for Dr Cheah to be replaced along with the party secretariat for failing to “perform their duties properly”, saying that the responsibility for monitoring the party elections should be handed to others who were capable of executing their duties.
“If the JPP and/or the secretariat proceeds without resolving these basic but fundamental issues, the party will lose the trust of its members and also damage its reputation as a party that fights for democracy and justice for all Malaysians,” added the statement.
The hotly contested post for the party’s deputy presidency will see Zaid go against former Abim member Mustaffa Kamil Ayub and PKR veteran Azmin Ali, who is said to be Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s favourite.
Zaid, who is considered as a PKR outcast due to his growing criticisms against the party has made explicit insinuations that supporters of Azmin, his leading contender in the three-way deputy presidency race, were responsible for the hurdles he was facing in his tilt for the number two post.
The former Umno politician has not minced his words since entering the fray for the deputy presidency, even rejecting outright Anwar’s warning to bypass Umno-owned media like Utusan Malaysia and insisted that the paper’s relentless attacks against the PKR de facto leader could have stemmed from the boycott.
PKR has had a rough run in its first-ever direct party elections as some candidates have accused the party of vote rigging and fraud on the divisional polls level amid violence at some divisional elections.
Since divisional elections began on September 17, 13 divisions have been forced to postpone their meetings.
The losers in the Kelana Jaya division polls had complained of vote rigging and fraud, citing alleged irregularities like unannounced changes in the list of the division committee.
Election results in Hulu Selangor had to be put on hold following allegations that the number of votes exceeded the number of voters while accusations of vote rigging also surfaced in the Tasek Gelugor division polls.
Comments (13)
0 Vote up Vote down
yoongsin2's avatar
yoongsin2 · 9 hours ago
seemed the p k r is more dirty then umno mic mca , all in one ..this is bigger devil , what more when they come to power? i voted for them and now i am reconsidering next ge .
Reply
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
0 Vote up Vote down
kukukaki's avatar
kukukaki · 7 hours ago
PAS agenda - Muslim country;
DAP - Malaysia Malaysia;
PKR ??? : Anwar Ibrahim ?.
Zaid slightly has learnt his lesson.
Reply
+10 Vote up Vote down
laiheng's avatar
laiheng · 9 hours ago
same old, same old...why is every political party so power crazy that fighting for power and personal standing becomes the top motive to become a politician and this includes having to resort to cheating and intimidating people...hello, think about rakyat first...otherwise you guys in PKR will be burried alongside your BN counterparts in the same graveyard come GE13.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+4 Vote up Vote down
ISEEU's avatar
ISEEU · 9 hours ago
I have predicted weeks ago that the people's power to vote will not be able to save Zaid Ibrahim as the people's power will also be used for manipulations of this and that. They wanted to make sure that Zaid failed miserably as he is branded as a 'traitor' and a 'trojan horse'. Every PKR member was so eager and happy that their votes will be counted.Maybe you people out there are too naive and too goody to realise the power of a few of those controlling the polling system. By the time you shouted, the process of polling will be over. I do not trust BN or PR, as power corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sorry to say in the GE, I do not vote for the party, l only vote for the candidate as I do not want to vote for a donkey.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
-4 Vote up Vote down
joe_mamak's avatar
joe_mamak · 8 hours ago
You BN supporters are so desperate that you need to look out for other people's problems.
Why not look at your own backyard too? Or perhaps you close one eye.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+3 Vote up Vote down
Rivelino C Moinin's avatar
Rivelino C Moinin · 8 hours ago
if Datuk Zaid is played out in PKR elections then this is bad for d voters in d next GE-13. we need leaders like Datuk Zaid to propel PKR/PR to party that has d brilliant idea on how to administer d country once PR takes over from bn in d next GE-13.go on Datuk Zaid,we need liberal and more brilliant leaders like you.Sabah & Sarawak PKR voters r all for u!!!
Reply
2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
-6 Vote up Vote down
conrad's avatar
conrad · 8 hours ago
zaid, go fly a kite!
Reply
0 Vote up Vote down
Sang Kancil Guru's avatar
Sang Kancil Guru · 7 hours ago
conrad, get lost if you cannot provide any constructive comment to the discussion!
Reply
+4 Vote up Vote down
Kar Koola Killa 's avatar
Kar Koola Killa · 8 hours ago
Who is trying to sabotage and destroy Zaid Ibrahim?
Don't they all see that Zaid is the future of PKR and of a truly multi-cultural and transparent and just Malaysia?
Anwar Ibrahim! Tell me what is your opinion about this election rigging!
I want a reporter to ask him Anwar about this!
I supported PKR so much during the General Election 2008!
Don't make me spoil my vote when I cast my vote again!
Disappointed in the Azmin faction's power hunger!
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+1 Vote up Vote down
anak bangsa Malaysia's avatar
anak bangsa Malaysia · 8 hours ago
PKR is infected with UMNO culture at the top. look at the names of the PKR leaders, they orginate from UMNO. Even strong chlorex cannot bleach them of the stain.
Reply
0 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
+3 Vote up Vote down
charles hew's avatar
charles hew · 8 hours ago
My vote goes to DAP or PAS. In the meantime, Keadilan can carry on their internal reformasi. Good luck to them. If the fight is between Keadilan and BN, my vote goes to BN - at least the devil I know rather than the one I don't. Annuar is about time you get out. Even your wife and daughter is smarter than you and I believe their have a more meaningful role to play..
Reply
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Kar Koola Killa 's avatar
Kar Koola Killa · 6 hours ago
Strongly agree here....
If BN lawan PKR, its the same, whether support PKR or BN.
Lost faith in Sivarasa also....
Reply
+4 Vote up Vote down
Mata Kuching's avatar
Mata Kuching · 7 hours ago
It is obvious that PKR and other political parties for that matter are not able to handle direct election just yet . In view of the many discrepancies and the shocking fact that the Election chairperson, Dr Molly Cheah , has either resigned or removed, the election should be suspended until further notice.
Comments