Wanita chief candidate called to testify; Jenapala files suit over candidacy
By Fazy Sahir, Free Malaysia Today
UPDATED PETALING JAYA: PKR wanita chief aspirant Animah Ferrar would be summoned by the party’s central election committee to testify on her allegations that there had been malpractices in the party’s wanita wing elections.
Animah’s allegations involve the conduct of incumbent wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin during the ongoing election process, held to pick division wanita as well as national wanita leaders.
A party source confirmed that Animah had been asked to appear before the committee to explain several details based on her complaints of the alleged wrongdoings.
The source said eight PKR divisions, involving the wanita wings, met the party’s central election committee chief Dr Molly Cheah today and it is understood that the meeting “had something do to” with allegations levelled by Animah previously.
“Animah will be called again so that the committee can for themselves hear all the allegations. Witnesses, if any, would be summoned later. In fact today eight divisions met Dr Molly,” the source revealed.
Cheah when contacted by FMT refused to comment on the meeting today. However, she confirmed receiving a memorandum on the complaints from Animah, via e-mail, on Nov 14.
“Yes it is true that some divisions met me today but I cannot divulge any details on the purpose of the meeting or what transpired at the meeting.
“But I can confirm receiving Animah’s memorandum on Nov 14. Her complaints were about the party’s election process. It has to be given a fair consideration. I have also forwarded the memorandum to a few relevant individuals to assist in investigating the claims,” said Cheah.
Allegations of abuse by incumbent
It is learnt that Animah in one of her complaints had alleged that there was a ban on members from nominating her at the Padang Rengas PKR division annual general meeting.
The wanita chief aspirant has also accused Zuraida’s supporters of grabbing the list of names proposed by Animah to be elected by members from her supporters.
Animah in her memorandum has named several PKR members as witnesses to the incident.
When contacted by FMT, Animah refused to elaborate further on the matter, saying that the issue was too “confidential” to be revealed to the media.
Based on a report in the Star newspaper on Nov 15, Animah had alleged that Zuraida had abused her power, using party mechanism to increase support and threatened, lied and manipulated the situation to win more votes.
Animah, who is also the party’s supreme council member, wanted the party to declare the PKR polls invalid due to vote manipulation and abuse of power.
The contest for the wanita chief sees a three-cornered fight between Zuraida, Animah and Suraya Sudin. After three weekends of pollings, and one final weekend left, incumbent Zuraida is leading the race, followed by Suraya.
The PKR elections have been mired with controversy following allegations of electoral fraud. Several candidates have called for the polls to be adjourned until these issues are sorted out but the party is keen to complete the process in time for its national congree at the end of this month.
One high profile candidate to have pulled out of the race is deputy presidential aspirant Zaid Ibrahim who cited electoral fraud for his reason to do so. He has also indicated his intention to quit the party over its failure to stem the fraud.
