PKR's historic direct polls: Turnout was low but it's a good start

Saifuddin - We did it despite all sorts of sabotage!

PETALING JAYA — PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution today described the party's just-concluded direct elections as a success despite the low turnout of under 10 per cent.

“This is our first experience, so who can we compare ourselves with? Umno only allows 2,000 members, MCA also about 2,000. The same with MIC,” Saifuddin told a press conference here.

“It is a good start for us to continue the system in the future,” said the Machang MP.

The party amended its constitution last year allowing all of its 400,000 members to vote for divisional leaders and the 20 members of the central leadership council — including the president, deputy president and four vice-presidents.

However, only about 30,000 members from PKR’s 217 division had voted up until yesterday. During the party’s divisional meetings where division leaders were elected, about 70,000 members turned up to vote.

“Last weekend the turnout was 13.6 per cent. The week before it was 8.4 per cent,” said Saifuddin.

He also announced today that only members from the Kuala Langat division have not voted for the PKR national leadership and that polling would be held there on Thursday.

According to Saifuddin, the official results would be announced on November 28, the final day of the PKR annual national congress.

The congress starts on November 26, when the party’s Youth and Wanita wings will meet.

“Interestingly, in this congress, 60 per cent of the divisional leaders are made up of newcomers in the line up for division chiefs, deputy chiefs and vice-chiefs,” said Saifuddin.

“There is also an increase in the participation of youths and women in the leadership, the details of which will be presented during the congress,” he added.

A total of 2,460 delegates and 1,025 observers are expected to attend the annual congress.

- Malaysian Insider