KUALA LUMPUR: International auditors have been appointed to investigate complaints of possible irregularities in the recently concluded PKR divisional polls, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Why do you think it's not just? Because there's a complaint, then it's not just? Very prejudicial," the Prime Minister, who is also the PKR President, said.
"Just because somebody complains, it's not just? No. If there's a complaint, we take it up. Now international auditors are checking in case there's any validity. The question should be reasonable and not prejudicial," he told reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rumah Belia Madani and Rumah Mampu Milik Mukim Batu on Tuesday (April 29).
Several top candidates contesting in the party elections said they had submitted appeals to the election committee due to concerns about the transparency of the results and the voting process.
Earlier, PKR Party Election Committee chairperson Dr Zaliha Mustafa said complaints on the polls should be lodged through official channels for appropriate action.
She said complaints submitted would be reviewed by the Objections and Complaints Committee.
She also announced fresh elections for four divisions: Jempol, Selayang, Silam, and Semporna, which will be held on May 1.
Several prominent figures, including ministers and MPs, lost in their respective divisions.
Among those who failed to retain or win posts were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who lost the Setiawangsa division chief post; Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, who lost the contest for the Hang Tuah Jaya division deputy chief; Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, who lost the Kota Kinabalu division chief post; and Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy, who lost the Bukit Bintang division chief contest.
Also defeated were Batu MP P. Prabakaran, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, and Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan in their respective divisions.
