Rafizi takes Dr Zaliha to task over PKR election irregularities

New Straits Times

11-05-2025

SERDANG: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has taken to task the party's election committee, led by Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, for its poor handling of alleged irregularities in the party's internal election process, including at the divisional level.
Rafizi said the committee had failed to address key issues, such as candidates from other parties slipping through and contesting in PKR elections.
"I have long raised this concern within the party. My worry is that when we are in power, people scramble to join because we're too eager to accept new members.
"Some of these individuals are what I call 'Airbnb members'. They join during election season and disappear afterwards.
"I have to call this out. If the committee or Zaliha is unhappy, so be it. This is their responsibility. It is supposed to be an independent body that screens everything," he said during the Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri programme last night.
"When objections are raised, they must respond to each one. Sometimes there are hundreds of objections that go unanswered. When we ask about them, they pretend not to know.
"And only after all the divisional elections are done do they open up for objections. By then, people are already angry," Rafizi, who is also Economy Minister, added.
He also blamed PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh for failing to detect non-members, including those from Umno, who managed to contest for party posts.
"Membership issues fall under Fuziah. Objections related to outsiders contesting are within the secretary-general's jurisdiction. She must act, and so must election committee," he said.
Rafizi added that the PKR election process requires serious reform, especially by the election committee as it is the party's first line of defence.
"Whoever becomes the next election committee chair must realise how heavy the responsibility is. You are the frontline defence of the party.
"When the grassroots file complaints, don't take them lightly. I believe those who lodge objections do so out of love and concern for the party.
"The chair must scrutinise properly and request evidence when there are complaints.If the committee can't handle all of them, at least filter as many as possible.
"If that means adding more members to the committee to handle objections, then do so, otherwise, it's like crying over spilt milk," he said.
He was responding to a participant's question on claims that Umno and Pejuang members had contested and even won posts in PKR's divisional elections.