REPOLLS in Keningau PKR division in Sabah is proceeding smoothly despite several minor altercations between the Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli’s camps.

As of noon, roughly 10% of the 6,441 registered PKR members of this division have voted. 

Repolls were called following a fracas between the two sets of supporters on November 3.

Rafizi had reported he was attacked by a man but only his head was grazed in the incident. Rafizi had cried foul over the behaviour of Azmin’s supporters and complained that the polling venue was too small and had no internet access for the e-voting system to work.

A police report was lodged over the incident and security has been tightened for today’s re-vote, which is also held in a different venue.

Chief poll observer Abang Azizan said a squabble had broken out when Azmin’s supporters mistakenly stepped up to Rafizi’s registration booth.

“This started a shouting match, and Azmin supporters had to be escorted to the entrance where Azmin’s tent had been set up,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

PKR vice-president candidate Tian Chua was among those who tried to slip into the voting hall through the entrance on Rafizi’s side.

Azizan said the crowd was expected to grow as rumour had it that  state Youth chief Raymond Ahuar was  bringing 2,000 Keningau PKR members to vote at the Keningau Sports Complex Badminton Hall.

Tian Chua said a bigger crowd  meant the supporters were more likely to get “agitated and subsequently confrontational.”

“This is especially the case with Rafizi’s camp. I think should he lose, he should just return to the team and become a team player.

“I am sure we have a place for him in the party,” said Tian Chua, adding that as “family, the party should start post party election healing and reconciliation.”

Tian Chua will be in Sabah for the repolls, and is expected in Nabawan later to oversee the revote preparations.

Pensiangan and Tawau will be revoting tomorrow.

Tian Chua urged all Sabah PKR members to remain calm, saying the revotes would not alter Azmin’s lead.

“For me it is a healthy competition that PKR still has the courage to face democracy despite facing many problems and shortcomings.

“And we learn from this shortcoming and improve and move on from there,” he said. – AFP, November 10, 2018.