
Rafizi takes Dr Zaliha to task over PKR election irregularities
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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Azalina: Madani reforms making real progress, not just rhetoric
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's reform agenda is showing tangible results and progressing through a structured, deliberate process. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the reforms will, however, take time. She said she agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he said reforms cannot be rushed and emphasised that change must be carefully planned and implemented. "He's certainly right in stating that reform is not a sprint but a structured, deliberate process," she said in a statement. Yesterday, Anwar, responding to criticisms over the pace of reform, said efforts must be grounded in political reality, particularly in a coalition government that does not command a simple majority. His remarks came days after PKR backbencher Wong Chen had said he would take a two-week break to reflect on his political future. The Subang MP had also voiced concern that the government could reach the end of its term with little to show in terms of institutional reforms. However, Azalina stressed that the government has already delivered key milestones. "I must firmly remind both the public and lawmakers that the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), alongside the agencies under our purview, has already delivered the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 and spearheaded more than 30 legal amendments since 2023. "This is not mere rhetoric. It is concrete evidence that the Madani reform agenda is very much alive and advancing." Azalina added that systemic reform was never instantaneous, and for good reason. "As policymakers, we must ensure that every reform is not only ambitious but also implementable. There is no wisdom in putting the cart before the horse.


Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Daily Express
Mustapha open to friendly contests if seat talks fail
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Mohamad Fadli, FMT Text Size: SERDANG: Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud ( pic ) says he is open to 'friendly contests' between allies if the ongoing negotiations over seat allocations ahead of the Sabah state election fail. Mustapha said PKR is working to prevent clashes between parties in the government coalition, and aiming for fair seat distribution without overlaps. Advertisement 'We're still negotiating and doing our best to avoid contests. The goal is fair allocation without duplication,' he said. 'But if talks break down, friendly contests are an option. It's common in politics.' He did not specify which parties are involved in the negotiations. Mustapha, the deputy higher education minister, was speaking to reporters at an event at Universiti Putra Malaysia here today. Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak yesterday suggested that overlapping seats be handled through friendly contests, while maintaining unity and a shared objective. He said this approach was better than allowing internal tensions or encouraging sponsored independent candidates. Mustapha said PKR's main priority was political stability, and warned that clashes at the state level could strain relationships within the federal government. 'I urge everyone to stay open-minded. There's no benefit in fighting among ourselves and risking division. 'We want unity to continue. Avoiding unnecessary contests can help reduce friction among parties,' he said. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Salleh moots friendly fights in overlapping seats for Sabah polls
Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said factors to be considered before deciding on friendly races include past election results, local support levels, proposed candidates, and potential seat swaps. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA : A Sabah Umno leader has proposed that parties contesting the upcoming state election consider friendly races in overlapping seats while remaining united in their overall goals. Salleh Said Keruak, the Sabah Umno treasurer, said rather than letting overlaps cause friction or lead to proxy independent candidates, it would be more constructive to consider friendly contests. 'A friendly contest is not a free-for-all. It's a planned, respectful arrangement where parties agree to contest the same seat, with the understanding that whoever wins, the seat remains part of the coalition,' he said in a Facebook post. He said that to manage the arrangement effectively, parties must balance political realism with respect for one another's grassroots presence. 'Friendly contests are not about ego – they're about finding practical solutions on the ground. 'If at least half of Sabah's 73 state seats can be settled without overlaps, that already builds a strong foundation. For the rest, friendly contests should only be used when negotiations don't produce agreements, and even then, only with a clear understanding,' he said. Salleh, a former chief minister, said factors to be considered before deciding on friendly races included past election results, local support levels, proposed candidates, and potential seat swaps. He said this approach, which was also taken in countries like India, Germany, and Indonesia, would help reduce tension among party machineries, maintain unity, and give voters clarity. 'Some may argue that it's better to go solo and form a coalition after the election. But that creates uncertainty – for voters, candidates, and future governance. It opens the door to personal agendas and unstable post-election deals. 'A pre-election coalition gives clarity, builds trust, and leads to more stable outcomes,' he said. Last week, Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin said the party would not work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah in the state election and would only consider joining forces with the coalition after the outcome of the polls. GRS chairman Hajiji Noor said on Thursday that the coalition would only decide on its alliances for the state election at its Supreme Council meeting after Aidiladha. While Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan have already announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, talks are said to be ongoing to rope GRS into the pact.