PKR has appointed independent auditors to look into complaints of possible irregularities in the party’s recent divisional elections, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, said the decision to bring in external auditors was made after concerns were raised over the conduct of the polls.
“Complaints were made, we took note of them and now, there are international auditors checking (the matter) in case there is validity (to the complaints),” he told reporters after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rumah Belia Madani and Madani Affordable Homes projects in Batu.
He was responding to a question on whether he could assure the public that PKR elections would be conducted fairly.
PKR’s election committee chairman Dr Zaliha Mustafa recently announced that fresh elections for four divisions – Jempol, Selayang, Silam and Semporna – would be held on May 1, with results expected on May 5.
However, she defended the party’s use of a blockchain-based voting system, amid criticisms of irregularities and questionable outcomes.
“The blockchain system is fraud-resistant. If there are some minor issues, it means we are still in the process of refining the system,” Zaliha had said.
A slew of prominent incumbent PKR divisional leaders were knocked out over the last few weekends as members elected lesser-known figures in the party’s divisional polls.
PKR vice-presidents Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and K Saraswathy, PKR Youth chief Adam Adli, and several MPs were among those who lost. Some of them have since filed an appeal over the results.
On the Myanmar junta’s 20-day ceasefire, Anwar said the Malaysian government was monitoring developments closely and had urged all parties to extend the ceasefire beyond its April 30 deadline.
“We have appealed to both sides that a ceasefire is critical in ensuring that humanitarian assistance is provided to all without any discrimination,” he said.
He added that Wisma Putra had also issued another appeal for the ceasefire to be extended and respected, particularly in light of the suffering caused by last month’s devastating earthquake.
