Embattled PKR incumbent deputy president Azmin Ali reportedly fared poorly in the party’s internal polls in Penang yesterday.
On Saturday, during a meeting with party members in Seberang Jaya, Azmin had expressed some concerns over the tough fight he was facing against rivals incumbent secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.
He was worried that his allies - Nibong Tebal MP Mansor Othman (left) and Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Kassim - had “deserted” him.
His fears were allayed when the duo turned up for his session at Hotel Sunway and openly expressed their support for Azmin.
The party has 13 elected representatives - 10 assemblypersons and three MPs - in Penang, only nine are contesting while Permatang Pauh MP Anwar Ibrahim, Penang exco member Dr Afif Bahardin and Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Cheah Kah Peng did not contest for division chief posts.
Azmin’s allies appeared to also suffer a similar fate when they lost to those aligned to Saifuddin in Penang.
In Tanjong, Abdul Malik, who is also a state executive councillor, lost to former municipal councillor Ng Chek Siang after holding the post for 15 years.
Those aligned to Saifuddin like Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon and Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen won the Bayan Baru, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan divisions respectively.
Sim even managed to retain his division against his challenger, Deputy Chief Minister and Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Rashid Hasnon (left in photo), a veteran leader who had been with the party since its formation in 1999.
In Bayan Baru, Azmin scored a measly 32 votes compared to Saifuddin who obtained 459 votes, while Khalid scored only 24.
Even in Permatang Pauh, Azmin lost closely by four votes, garnering 107 to Saifuddin’s 110, while Khalid won only 20.
However, Azmin’s ally, Seberang Perai Municipal councillor Amir Ghazali, won the Permatang Pauh chief’s post while Afif won the deputy chief’s post against Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin, who contested both posts.
Azmin still leading by 11,000 votes
Overall, it is learnt that Azmin is still leading by 11,000 votes compared to Saifuddin and Khalid, who allegedly have 6,000 votes split between them.
So far, Azmin has reportedly won in Sarawak, Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Perlis, Johor and Malacca, while he fared poorly in Kedah and Pahang, other than Penang.
Azmin’s victory comes in the midst of accusations of election fraud, namely in Bukit Sadong, Sarawak.
The division polls were suspended after PKR member Badrul Hisham Shaharin lodged a complaint against Azmin, saying he had proof that the Gombak MP had a hand in the alleged fraud.
Polls in another division, Nibong Tebal, were also suspended at about 9pm last night due to allegations of phantom voters, where Mansor, the state PKR chief, is being challenged by Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Makhtar Shapee and a relatively unknown member, Sanjeeviramah Subramani.
When contacted, Mansor said he has protested against the suspension, which he described as “unfair”.
“I was leading all the way. Those who were losing could not accept the results,” he told Malaysiakini.
“I did my work and registered many members in Nibong Tebal, they are not phantom voters,” he added.
Malaysiakini
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