Khalid should accept defeat, says Kuala Selangor polls winner

(The Rakyat Post) – Former Kapar Member of Parliament S. Manikavasagam strongly objects to the Selangor menteri besar’s political secretary Azman Abidin’s suggestion that voting for Kuala Selangor be held again.

Manikavasagam said the alleged sabotage during the counting of votes was baseless as the representative for Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim signed the confirmation of the result.

According to Manikavasagam, if Azman was determined to have Abdul Khalid win, he should have been present during the counting of votes and not sow chaos after it was completed.

“If there is pressure for re-election, we will oppose it.

“The same goes for a recount, when they have already agreed with the decision and have signed the ballot results.

“Khalid has to accept defeat. He can try again after three years to come back and compete to win,” he said in a press conference at the assemblyman’s service centre in Bukit Melawati.

Azman had announced that he would lodge a complaint in relation to elements of sabotage during the counting process at the Kuala Selangor branch.

Azman said his side was gathering evidence to persuade the Central Election Committee (CEC) to hold re-elections rather than a recount.

Meanwhile, candidate Manikavasagam’s representative, A. Steven, at the PKR headquarters denied elements of sabotage during the vote count.

“It’s correct that there was a blackout incident during the vote count, but it was during the process of counting of votes for the Central Council rather than branches.

“I was there during the counting, and a representative of the menteri besar was the first signature on the decision form, not mine.

“This means that they accepted the decision,” said Steven.

The Kuala Selangor branch election saw Abdul Khalid only obtaining 515 votes against Manikavasagam who received 701 votes during the election held on Sunday.