PKR to engage auditing firm to look into missing votes claim

PETALING JAYA: PKR will engage a consulting and auditing firm to look into claims of missing votes in the recently-concluded party polls.

PKR communication director Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said in a statement on Tuesday night (Nov 13) that the political bureau had instructed accounting and consulting firm Baker Tilly to look into claims brought up by Youth chief hopeful Akmal Nasir.

"The PKR political bureau has instructed Baker Tilly to verify the integrity of the voting system to investigate (this) and provide feedback promptly.

"The party will also announce the appointment of an auditing firm in the near future to conduct an independent audit of the entire voting process," Fahmi said.

Akmal had alleged in a press conference on Tuesday (Nov 13) that up to 8,926 votes in favour of deputy president candidate Rafizi Ramli are missing.

At the same time, Fahmi added, the party will give full co-operation to any enforcement agencies including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission who are conducting investigations related to the party polls.

He said the party's Central Election Committee (JPP) has also been urged to quickly resolve issues in regards to the doubtful votes of the Julau, Pensiangan and Tawau divisions, by calling for representatives of the two deputy president candidates to observe the process.

Fahmi also added however that the political bureau has "taken a stance to accept the decision of the JPP for the Julau, Pensiangan and Tawau divisions".

He clarified that the PKR Congress would be conducted on Nov 16-18 as was previously announced.

JPP chairman Datuk Rashid Din had earlier said on Tuesday (Nov 13) there would not be a re-election at the Julau division elections in Sarawak, and that the Tawau and Pensiangan divisions re-election results will be revealed once checks are done.