Anwar blames outsiders for chaotic PKR poll

(Malaysian Times) – PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has put the blame on non-members and new party members for the fracas that occurred during party polls recently.

Based on video and photo evidence, Anwar said that there were elements of gangsterism by “non-members”.

“Based on this information, we have found that the non-members trespassed into voting centres to tarnish our image and foil our voting process.

“I was also made understood that some involved are new members who registered with the party soon before registration closed on March 15,” he said.

“They can protest (against how the election is conducted), but destruction of public property cannot be condoned,” he was quoted as saying by The Star Online.

Anwar said the leadership would not hesitate to expel members who are found to have breached party laws.

The violence occurred during the party poll forced voting for some of 10 divisions in Selangor to be postponed indefinitely.

Besides the 10 divisions in Selangor, the party has also postponed voting for 17 divisions until the election committee has completed its investigations into complaints of irregularities.

The last stage of the party polls in Selangor erupted in quarrels, fistfights and acts of violence, with ballot boxes thrown to the ground and doors broken down.

PKR has used the ‘one member one vote’ system since 2010, but polls did not proceed well with allegations of election fraud and violence marring the election process.

Anwar also agreed there was a need for the party to review its direct election system.

“Ten to 15 thousand members having direct elections in one centre is not feasible,” he said, giving the example of the Pensiangan, Kuala Selangor and Gombak divisions.