RAFIZI Ramli is alleged to have misused data on party members compiled by Invoke ahead of the 14th general election in his campaign for the PKR deputy presidency.

The party vice-president is up against incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali for the post.

Disgruntled members said they received phone calls from an unidentified number, and were polled on their pick for the No. 2 post.

They said the voice on the line was Rafizi’s.

PKR communications bureau chief Nor Hizwan Ahmad said it has received reports on the matter, and will lodge an official complaint with the party headquarters so that an investigation can be carried out.

“I will lodge an official report with the central election committee, and they will have to respond. Then, I will submit the complaint to the party headquarters for action to be taken,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said he will lodge the complaint before the objection period ends this week.

Yesterday, several PKR members, on social media, said they received calls from Rafizi, and complained about how the “survey” was carried out.

Rafizi, in a statement, said the poll did not contravene any law.

However, Hizwan, in a statement today, said the poll was in violation of the law.

“The Personal Protection Data Act states that one cannot process the personal data of a subject when the subject does not consent to it. In this context, it involves the telephone numbers of PKR members.

“PKR, which is part of the Pakatan Harapan federal government, should show that it is an efficient, trustworthy and competent party.”

Party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, on the other hand, said there is nothing wrong with carrying out such surveys as long as they do not violate campaign rules, such as offering bribes or issuing threats.

“This party celebrates creativity in campaigning. This party gives the opportunity to candidates (to decide on) how they want to run their campaign.

“What matters is, there are no bribes and threats, as such elements taint the principle of democracy.

“Election campaigns leverage technological developments, such as social media. We know Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp were used in GE14.

“PKR is moving forward by using ‘big data’ methods, which involve sampling within a target group,” he said, adding that no action will be taken against Rafizi.

He said the PKR vice-president is not restricted from using Invoke in his campaign, adding that it is nothing new.

“We cannot stop every leader who is involved in a civil society group. Chegubard (Badrul Hisham Shaharin) has SAMM (Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia), and PKR Women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin has Wirda (Women’s Institute Research Development and Advancement).

“PKR cannot say they can’t do this and that.”

Party member Ahmad Nizam Hamid, who is a lawyer, said Rafizi did not breach the law.

“The advancement of communications technology should be utilised for the benefit of democracy, and not be seen as unethical.”

Another member, Syed Badli Syah Syed Osman, who was polled via phone, said there is no problem with the way Rafizi is conducting his campaign.

“In my view, competition is healthy. It (campaigning style) depends on the candidates, based on their creativity. Other candidates should not be defensive,” said the Selangor PKR Youth secretary.

“After all, Rafizi does not get involved in money politics and power deals. He has a healthy campaign.

“Do not worry about it. It wasn’t a gift or promotion, just a survey.” – August 9, 2018.