AKMAL Nasir has been elected the PKR Youth chief, but the ally of Rafizi Ramli was immediately booed by a number of wing members when he was announced the winner today.

Akmal, who is also Johor Baru MP, beat his closest rival Dr Afif Bahardin in a three-cornered fight that included Najwan Halimi.

Dr Afif’s supporters began shouting his name and jeering at Akmal when the results were announced at PKR Youth’s 13th annual congress.

They also shouted demands that a fresh election for the wing’s office-bearers be held.

Dr Afif’s supporters walked out of the hall where the results were announced as Akmal began his maiden speech as the new Youth chief.

There had been around 500 people in the hall earlier but only half remained after the walkout.

The shouting lasted about five minutes after the central election committee (JPP) called for calm.

Akmal, in his maiden speech, called Dr Afif up on stage as a gesture of thanks.

He ended with declarations of “Reformasi!”, and said he will work hard to unite the wing under the leadership of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“We need to stay united under the leadership to serve the people. Our next objective is to ensure Anwar becomes the next prime minister.”

Newly elected Youth deputy chief Hilman Idham, in his speech, urged members to unite even though they support different candidates.

Akmal had been tipped since yesterday to win the neck-and-neck race with Dr Afif.

As at 2am today, Dr Afif was trailing by 100 votes. The counting of votes resumed later this morning, and the margin was reduced to around 50 votes by the time Akmal was announced the winner.

JPP did not announce the exact number of votes each candidate received.

The Youth congress ended this evening, and PKR’s main congress will be held tomorrow and Sunday. – November 16, 2018.