PKR's new JB division chief denies coaching voter, says issue resolved

PKR Johor Baru division chief Akmal Nasir with his supporters after winning the post at the recent

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly minted PKR Johor Baru division chief Akmal Nasir has denied allegations he coached a voter during the recent party polls.

The Johor Baru MP said the matter had been decided upon by the party's central election committee (JPP) and members should not dwell on it.

Richard Tan, who was a contender for the divisional chief position, had earlier shown the media a video which he claimed showed Akmal assisting a voter with the electronic voting process.

Tan raised the issue on Oct 5 and wanted Akmal's win to be invalidated.  

He also told the press outside the PKR headquarters that Akmal should step down from his post as Johor Baru division chief and withdraw from the Youth chief race as the latter had broken election rules.

Akmal confirmed that the JPP had issued a stern warning against him, and he accepted it.

"If people keep questioning JPP's decision, this will affect the work and image of the JPP," Akmal said.

"I think there was a video being 'viralled' on social media showing me talking to an election agent.

"I was actually telling the agent to undo certain things after I saw some intervention.

"It has to be viewed in the context of a bigger picture," he told the media in Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 24).

Akmal said he didn't think the incident would affect his chances in the race for the youth chief post.

"There are other issues that have been brought up throughout the party polls. Other leaders have been issued warnings, so the matter has been closed by the committee.

"The issue should not be prolonged," he stressed.