PKR division chief allegedly rallying support against ‘delegate voting’ at party polls

 

A complaint has been lodged against the PKR division leader for inciting others to support a protest letter against the proposal to do away with the ‘one member, one vote’ system. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A PKR division chief has allegedly sent out a letter to his fellow leaders rallying them to oppose a proposal to change the party’s voting mechanism from the “one member, one vote” system to a delegate system.

It is understood that the proposal was raised at PKR’s central leadership council meeting last month.

In the undated letter sighted by FMT, a division chief claimed the proposal would limit PKR members’ voting rights, lead to a decline in grassroots support and result in an exodus from the party.

“We, the division leaders who have been entrusted with engaging the grassroots for the stability and empowerment of PKR as a democratic and reformist party, firmly express our objection to any amendment to the party’s constitution that introduces new mechanisms for party elections,” stated the leader in the letter.

“Every member should have the right to choose leaders to represent them at each level, from the branch to the central level.

“There is concern that this could threaten the future development of this democratic party, which is composed of various races,” the leader said in the letter.

Stating that the party’s strength lies in its democratic practices that have upheld diverse representation and inclusivity, the division chief went on to urge PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and the party’s central leadership council to maintain the “one member, one vote” system.

It is understood a senior PKR member has lodged a formal complaint against the division leader for inciting other division leaders to sign the letter.

The complaint, seen by FMT, accuses the division chief of undermining Anwar’s mandate as PKR president and that of the central leadership council by seeking to preempt the council’s decision.

“The act of rallying division leaders to support a protest letter not only challenges the authority of the party president but also jeopardises the party’s unity,” said the complaint.

Citing Article 10.2 of the party’s constitution, the complainant urged the disciplinary board to take immediate action against the division leader for conduct that could create division within PKR.

FMT has reached out to PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh for comment. - FMT