KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Apr: The Party Election Committee (JPP) will investigate allegations of fraud in the election process in a number of branches in Sarawak, involving the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President, Azmin Ali.
The JPP Chairman, Datuk Johari Abdul, said that investigation into the allegations is being conducted and the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.
He said the JPP will not tolerate with those involved, if the allegations are true.
“The JPP will not tolerate cases like this. As a political party for reform, we cannot do as we like. The JPP will take appropriate action if it (the allegation) is found to be true,” he said in a press conference at the PKR Headquarters today.
Previously, the founder of Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham Shaharin, urged for Azmin to be disqualified in the contest for PKR Deputy President following alleged fraud.
Better known as Chegu Bard, he said based on the report made by Selangor Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s team, and that the JPP has to act decisively against Azmin.
“This did happen in the 2010 election and was reported, but no action was taken against Azmin.
“This time, with the available evidence concerning the election at the Batang Sadong branch, I am of the opinion that Datuk Johari Abdul and the JPP should take decisive action by disqualifying Azmin,” he said.
Johari added that the allegation was not only made by Chegu Bard, but many parties by uploading pictures of the incident on social networking sites.
“So far, we understand that the area has no ideal place to hold the election. Therefore, it had to be done at three budget hotels.
“During the ballot counting, two candidates from the Central Leadership Council (MPP) came when the calculation took place and coincidentally, there was a ‘blackout’. This made two members of the MPP dissatisfied,” he said.
In relation to this, he called on all parties to be patient while investigations are being carried out.
“I will go to Sarawak to look into this matter and the outcome will be communicated as soon as possible. Probably within one or two days,” he said.
