The Malaysian Insight

PKR will not postpone its party polls, central election committee chairman Rashid Din confirmed today.

He said it is too late to defer the elections, with preparations already under way.

“No, there is no postponement. We are in full swing. We have completed 90% of preparations,” he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

The voting process for four states, namely Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, kicks off this weekend.

Rashid said more than 170,000 members in the said states are expected to cast their ballots.

He said voting for Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor will take place on September 29 and 30, while Selangor PKR members will vote on October 13, 14 and 21.

Sarawak will vote on October 20 and 21, while Sabah, October 27 and 28.

Rashid said he hopes for a smooth polls, despite claims of cheating by party members.

“I pray everything turns out well… I am quite nervous.”

PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin previously called for the party elections to be postponed until after the Port Dickson by-election, in which president-elect Anwar Ibrahim will contest.

Shamsul Iskandar, who is also Bukit Katil MP, said delaying the PKR polls would streamline the party machinery, as it would not find itself “torn” between the party elections and by-election.

Danyal Balagopal Abdullah last week gave up the Port Dickson seat for Anwar, paving the way for the latter’s return to Parliament and for him to take over as prime minister. – September 18, 2018.