'I did not claim victory' - Azmin blames media for misquoting him

PKR POLLS | PKR deputy president contender Azmin Ali has blamed the media for misquoting him as prematurely celebrating his victory in the recent party polls.

“That was the fault of the media for making inaccurate reports. I did not claim victory before the election committee (JPP) makes a formal announcement.

“If you look at my tweet, all I said was thank you to my party members for forwarding the genuine Reformasi agenda.

“When did I claim victory? Maybe some made a mistake when making reports. But I forgive them,” he told a press conference after opening the PKR Youth and Women’s wings at the party’s 13th national congress in Shah Alam tonight.

On Sunday, the last day of voting, Azmin had tweeted the following:

Alhamdulillah dan syukur. Terima kasih kepada semua anggota Keadilan yang bersama membingkai muafakat untuk meneruskan agenda reformasi tulen.

(Praise be to God and thankfulness. Thank you to all PKR members who have come together to forward the real Reformasi agenda)

That same day, his aide had issued the exact statement on Azmin’s behalf which was signed off with “deputy president 2018-2021”.

Similarly, a thank you poster bearing Azmin’s image and the words “deputy president 2018-2021” was also issued by another aide of his.

With 67,449 votes, Azmin presently leads Rafizi by 4,733 votes. However, the JPP has yet to release the final tally of several divisions and of "undi ragu" (disputed votes). 

Outgoing PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had previously chastised those who appeared to be celebrating their victories before the polls were concluded.  

"I don't know why (they are celebrating). We have not arrived at the end... Sometimes, people are just excited,” she had said.

The PKR national congress will conclude on Sunday with the announcement of the party’s new central leadership. - Mkini