KOTA KINABALU – Umno’s decision to postpone party polls until after the general election was for fear of a party split, said PKR deputy president candidate Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said this was unlike PKR, which decided not to further delay an internal election.
“Umno is scheduled to hold a special general assembly next Saturday to amend the party constitution to delay party elections for six more months after the general election.
“Party election means division. But for us in PKR, we are returning the mandate to members despite concerns of division.
“But so far, the process has been harmonious,” he told reporters after a Hari Raya dinner organised by Sabah PKR here last night.
Saifuddin noted that PKR is holding its polls now after the present office-bearers ended their terms in November last year.
At this point, he said the party relied on its constitution to delay party elections for 18 more months which will end in May next year.
“PKR election is held once every three years. The term of the present bearers ended in November last year.
“At this point, the party is using its constitution to allow the party to postpone the election for 18 more months, which will end in May next year.
“This is unusual for any party in Malaysia to hold a party election when the general election is near.
“The polls were held to fill in the vacated positions after the Sheraton Move in 2020,” he said.
Also present at the event were Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Christina Liew and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Other PKR leaders who were reportedly in Sabah include Nurul Izzah Anwar.
She was, however, absent at the Sabah PKR event organised by state party leader Datuk Christina Liew.
On April 23, Saifuddin attended a breaking fast event in Sabah organised by the Gang 16 group – a faction calling for changes to Sabah PKR leadership.
On another note, Saifuddin rubbished claims that the contest for the number two post in PKR was a proxy war involving party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said these claims were made by outsiders who had an agenda against PKR. – The Vibes, May 9, 2022
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