Two PKR candidates warned over breach of ethics

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR has warned two candidates to stop bad-mouthing and making wild allegations against others in the coming party polls.

"We have issued letters to the two candidates and gave them a soft warning to stop using harsh words and making wild allegations against others.

"We deemed it a soft warning as their statements were made before the polling process, which begins today (Aug 19)," said PKR’s Complaints, Appeal and Discipline Committee chairman Dr Syed Husin Ali at a press conference on Sunday (Aug 19).

If the two candidates continue with their antics through the media, then stern action will be taken against them, he warned.

"We will come down hard on them if they continue to use harsh words and make wild allegations against others after today," he added.

Dr Syed refused to divulge the identity of the two candidates, saying their names will only be revealed if action is taken against them.

The warnings come after the two had breached party polling ethics.

It is believed that one of two candidates is PKR central committee member Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid.

Abdullah Sani claimed that PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is defending his post, is in cahoots with Council of Eminent Persons chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin to block Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from becoming Prime Minister in two years’ time.

Abdullah Sani made the allegations on Aug 12 while campaigning for Rafizi Ramli, who is contesting the deputy president’s post in the PKR polls.

On Wednesday (Aug 15), Abdullah Sani also accused PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin of using one of her lackeys to threaten his wife, Datin Faizah Arrifin, who is contesting the wing’s vice chief posts.

Faizah, a PKR Wanita exco member, had been critical of Zuraida during her campaign.

Zuraida is contesting a PKR vice president post.

Meanwhile, PKR Central Election Committee chairman Datuk Rashid Din said that 25 candidates were issued letters on why they should be allowed to contest after complaints were lodged against them.

"One candidate is contesting for a central committee post while 24 candidates are contesting a branch post.

"They have three days to appeal," he said.

He said 47 complaints were rejected, adding that the committee will be looking at 70 complaints in total.

On party polls ethics, Rashid said that candidates are no longer allowed give talks at large gatherings.

He said gatherings should be restricted to closed-door events below 100 people.

Also not allowed are candidates taking group photos together with other candidates. 

Almost 14,000 candidates are vying for a total of 10,028 party posts nationwide.

A total of 88 posts are for the party's central committee and respective wings.

The party polls are being conducted through an e-voting system and will end by mid-October.