No action against PKR protesters, says Johari

PETALING JAYA:  In response to recent demonstrations by grassroots members against PKR elections outside party headquarters, Datuk Johari Abdul said that action will not be taken against them as they are merely exercising their freedom to assemble.

“We believe in lawful assembly. It is a citizen’s right as long as they do not cause disturbance in the neighbourhood. Many of them are youths and this is good training for them,” he said at a press conference at PKR headquarters on Wednesday.

The protestors demanded a review of the elections and some even called for Datuk Johari’s resignation.

To date, three protests have been held outside PKR headquarters, the most recent of which took place on Tuesday night.

Speaking in his capacity as election committee chairman Johari also announced that re-elections for six PKR divisions will take place on June 15.

Johari listed Klang, Sabak Bernam, Kapar, Kota Raja, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya Selangor as the affected divisions.

Altogether, 35 divisions will undergo re-elections. Re-elections for the remaining divisions will take place in subsequent weeks, Johari said.

The positions up for re-elections range from divisional posts to Central Leadership Council (MPP) seats.

This year’s PKR party elections were riddled with complaints and the PKR disciplinary committee has heard more than 248 official complaints from 71 divisions on issues ranging from delays to sabotage. 

Johari also added that a high-level committee will be established by the Central Election Committee (JPP) to address complaints from grassroots members against deputy president candidates Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Gombak MP Azmin Ali.