Azmin makes impressive sweep in S’wak and east coast

(The Star) – PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is on a winning streak after making an impressive sweep in Sarawak and the east coast states.

Azmin, who is fighting for a second term as the party’s No. 2, has a comfortable lead over Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution.

Unofficial results from last weekend’s balloting showed Azmin securing 59% of the votes in six states which have voted so far. The states are Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Malacca.

Khalid garnered 25% and Saifuddin secured 16% of the votes.

PKR election director Datuk Johari Abdul was in an upbeat mood despite confirming the election of four divisions in Terengganu had to be put off until May 10.

Two of them, including Kemaman and Dungun, were stopped midway following protests over technical glitches and nominations numbers.

Incumbent Kemaman chief Rafizi Ramli is trailing in the contest for the division chief post when voting came to a sudden stop.

Johari said he had received numerous calls complaining of electoral irregularities and even of phantom voters.

“I have advised them to put their complaints in writing. I will not entertain hearsay and people telling me stories,” he said.

The poor voter turnout has become a talking point in the party which claims to have some 500,000 members. Each member is entitled to a vote but some divisions experienced turnouts of as low as 60 voters while the highest was about 250 voters.