Malaysia: Azmin leading in Selangor PKR race, unofficial results show

• AZMIN Ali is leading with 9,337 votes in the PKR polls in the contest for the deputy president’s post in Selangor, according to unofficial results. The Economic Affairs Minister’s challenger, Rafizi Ramli has garnered 8,562 votes.
• The first phase of the polls on 14 Oct 18 involved balloting by nine of the 22 branches. The branches are Serdang, Subang, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Hulu Selangor, Kelana Jaya, Kapar, Kota Raja and Sepang.
• Selangor is said to be Azmin’s stronghold as he has been the menteri besar since 2014, before he stepped down to become the Economic Affairs Minister following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election.
• However, Rafizi’s growing influence has made it a tough fight for Azmin. Due to the huge number of members involved in Selangor, polling for the state had to be done in three phases.
• According to party sources who include his own supporters, Selangor, where incumbent PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was menteri besar, is not a guaranteed win for him in the party polls.
• The fight to win the state is crucial. Selangor, which has almost 250,000 PKR members, has the most party members among all states. Selangor members make up about 30% of the party’s 841,000 membership.
• “The votes in Selangor are now split. The issue of local councillor appointments has damaged Azmin’s reputation,” a PKR elected representative, who declined to be named, told The Malaysian Insight.
• He was referring to claims of cronyism and nepotism in the appointment of councillors in Selangor local authorities after the 14th general election.
• Sources said the attacks on Azmin started long before the party polls began in Jun 18. “Since becoming menteri besar in 2014, Azmin’s network with the grassroots shrunk while Rafizi worked with his research outfit Invoke,” the source said.
• Polling for the remaining 13 divisions – Puchong, Gombak, Petaling Jaya Utara, Petaling Jaya Selatan, Kuala Langat, Klang and Selayang – has been set for 21 Oct 18, while members of the Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Ampang, Pandan, Shah Alam and Hulu Langat divisions will cast their ballots on 28 Oct 18.

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