Khalid to take legal action on PKR’s Manikavasagam over vote-buying claim

(Malay Mail Online) – Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is starting legal action against former Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam after the latter accused him of  vote-buying in the ongoing PKR polls.

Abdul Khalid made the announcement on his Twitter account this morning.

“I have ordered lawyers to send a letter of demand to Manikavasagam for accusing me of corruption by buying voters,” he said.

On Sunday, national news agency Bernama reported Manikavasagam as claiming he had audio recordings showing Abdul Khalid, through an officer, allegedly paying up to RM50 to buy votes.

The Selangor mentri besar denied the allegations in the same report.

Manikavasagam was up against Abdul Khalid for the Kuala Selangor division chief’s post, but the hotly-contested election was forced to be abandoned due to allegations of irregularities in the voting process.

The division is now one of 27 that must undergo fresh balloting in PKR’s internal polls that have been marred by repeated allegations of delays and fraud.

The party has also been forced to indefinitely delay announcing the results of the election originally scheduled for release today.

PKR has played down allegations of vote manipulation and polling delays in the party’s internal polls, with its elections director Johari calling it manageable “hiccups.”

PKR’s last party elections in 2010 was mired with allegations of vote fraud and corruption, which led to some leaders leaving the party in protest.