Pakatan Accepts GE-13 Results, Rejects GE Handling Discrepancies

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KUALA LUMPUR, June 25: Although Pakatan Rakyat (PR) accepts the results of the 13th General Election (GE-13), the coalition still rejects the alleged fraud and discrepancies that took place in the electoral system.

In fact, not only did Pakatan file court petitions against the election results, but Umno-BN had also filed petitions against the results in 21 parliamentary areas and State Legislative Assemblies.

Pandan MP, Rafizi Ramli said that Pakatan has always accepted the GE-13 results with open hearts; however it does not mean that the coalition should keep quiet and fully agree with the handling of the electoral system by the Election Commission (EC).

Rafizi, who is also the PKR Strategy Director, stressed that the action to file petitions by Pakatan in early June is to ensure that the electoral system would not be affected in the future.

“Accepting the GE results does not mean that we ignore and completely close this chapter on the elections. But the exposure of the irregularities of the GE system should continue.

“This is not just about the last GE, but it is about the integrity of the electoral system in the future.

We will work hard to ensure that fraud and leakages do not happen again,” he said.

He was responding to the address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzm Shah in conjunction with the opening formalities of the 13th House of Representatives Session here today.

In his address, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong asked all Members of Parliament to accept the results of the GE-13.

The sentiment was acknowledged by the Kota Raja MP, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud who explained that Pakatan respects the results of the recent election, however stressed that the law allows for parties contesting to submit objections.

She said that agreeing to the GE results does not necessarily mean that it prevents Pakatan from commenting on the malfunction that occurs in the electoral system.

“The law gives us the space to reform the imperfect electoral system.

“The criticisms given, despite sounding loud, are for the good of the country. The criticisms are aimed at building what is often neglected by the government,” she said.

Pakatan filed 34 petitions involving 24 Parliamentary seats in the GE-13, while 10 more petitions referred to the State Legislative Assemblies (DUN) seats.

Of the total amount of petitions for Parliamentary seats, 19 were from PKR and the remaining were four from PAS and two from DAP.

While Umno-BN decided to file 21 petitions,


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