“We are giving them 48 hours to postpone or call off the elections. The elections have so far seen 162 complaints of malpractice. The committee cannot ignore this.”
“The main failure of the election committee is to defend the principles of clean, free and fair elections.”
PKR vice-president and deputy president candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub in a 9 Nov 2010 press conference at Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s house. Mustaffa threatened “firm action” if the election committee failed to act on the protest memorandum he eventually submitted.
Mustaffa said the party election system had been far from what delegates had hoped for, adding that the elections should be postponed until candidates were more confident of the process. When pressed on whether he would withdraw from the race if his complaints were not addressed, Mustaffa said he would “think about it”. (Source: Mustaffa issues 48-hour ultimatum to abort PKR polls, Malaysiakini, 9 Nov 2010)
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate Anwar’s contributions, but times have changed. He and Azmin must go as they are the source of the problems (in the party).”
Former PKR deputy president candidate Zaid, at the same 9 Nov 2010 press conference at his house. Zaid’s statement calling on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali to leave the party was made after Mustaffa’s announcement.
Zaid had quit the deputy presidency race a day earlier, alleging electoral fraud in the party elections. He has since quit the party altogether and said he would run in the next general election. (Source:Zaid: Anwar And Azmin Must Leave PKR To Save Party, Bernama, 9 Nov 2010)
“I would like to state that my full support for Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the PKR president has never changed. The other members can attest to my stand and I have been very consistent in defending Anwar throughout the 12 years of my reformasi struggles.
“I believe that PKR, Pakatan Rakyat and Malaysians need Anwar’s leadership as an icon of change that will bring a huge difference to the country.”
Mustaffa, trying to distance himself from Zaid’s statement against Anwar and Azmin. He explained he was not in support of Zaid’s attacks.
Mustaffa, who had been trailing behind Azmin and Zaid in the deputy presidency race, reportedly performed slightly better after Zaid’s withdrawal. (Source: Mustaffa distances himself from Zaid, Malaysiakini, 11 Nov 2010)
“I’m honouring the trust and wishes of the grassroots who want me to continue with the contest.
“For the sake of the party, if the election proceeds I am staying in the deputy presidential race albeit in protest.”
Mustaffa, after his 48-hour deadline to the party had passed with no action, announcing that he would stay in the elections for the sake of party grassroots. (Source: Mustaffa not pulling out of PKR No 2 race, The Star, 12 Nov 2010)
“Let me state that I continue to stay in the race under protest. In other words I still doubt the election process, but for the sake of the struggle and to save the party I decided to continue.”
Mustaffa, reiterating his decision to stay on in the deputy presidency race, but under protest. He said the elections should be postponed to give time for all the complaints that have been lodged with the party’s election committee to be considered. (Source: Mustaffa insists on postponing PKR election, The Malaysian Insider, 16 Nov 2010)
[related-posts]
TooMuch says
PKR is making a mockery of what its stands for. Reform for a fair and just Malaysia, or power for themselves? Seems like there is no unity in their course, and they’re beginning to show that many of their lead characters have split agendas of the “everyone for [their own]” syndrome.
What is their common course now? Is everyone joining the circus to scramble on the bus to Putrajaya? They’re increasingly clowning around rather than doing what is needed. It’s no better than what has been happening for the past 50 years. Wow, what a sorry state of affairs. Always remember that POWER is in the hands of the ordinary voters.