2nd leg of Selangor PKR elections mired by fracas, seven arrested

KLANG: Fracas broke out in several divisions in the second leg of the Selangor PKR elections on Sunday (Oct 21).

Amongst the divisions which experienced some measure of chaos were Gombak, Selayang, Petaling Jaya Utara and Puchong.

In Petaling Jaya Utara, several people, allegedly from the Subang division, had come and attempted to e-vote.

They were prevented from doing so, and this led to a fracas which resulted in the police arresting seven young men.

Division chief Elizabeth Wong, who won uncontested, said 30 military personnel had also come to the division to vote.

“From what we know army personnel are not allowed to join any political parties but here they were trying to vote,’’ said the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman.

In Selayang, arguments broke out after several individuals kept on campaigning for the candidate of their choice even after entering the polling centre parameters.

“They are not supposed to campaign once they enter the fencing of the polling centre, but some people kept on doing it, even when they were inside,’’ said incumbent division chief William Leong, who is defending his position.

In the Gombak division polls in Sungai Tua, fights broke out between alleged supporters of incumbent party deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his opponent former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari, who was there, downplayed the chaos and told reporters that the groups were not fighting.

“It was not a fight, but just ordinary shouting and the situation is under control,’’ said Amirudin, who is contesting for the Gombak division chief post.

In Puchong, fights broke out after people became impatient due to the long wait to vote.

The situation became so chaotic that the Light Strike Force (LSF) had to step in to calm the situation.

One of the five contenders for the Puchong division chief position Michael Tamil said the crowd at the polling centre was also unruly.

“People were randomly entering into the hall where we go in to e-vote,’’ said Michael.

The second leg of the Selangor party elections involves Puchong, Gombak, Petaling Jaya (PJ) Utara, PJ Selatan, Kuala Langat, Klang and Selayang divisions, encompassing 83,000 party members.