KUALA SELANGOR, June 30 — Kuala Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Division chief S. Manikavasagam today criticised Azman Abidin, the political secretary of the Selangor menteri besar, for alleging that his (Manikavasagam’s) victory in the PKR divisional elections was questionable due to a power failure during the counting of votes.
Manikavasagam claimed that the disruption in electricity supply occurred not only at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya where the counting of votes took place but involved the whole Merchant Square building where the PKR office was housed.
“Therefore, do not charge ‘blackout’ because that will tantamount to sabotage. That is all nonsense. They should accept defeat and not find fault,” he told a news conference here.
Manikavasagam was commenting on the allegation by Azman on June 26 that the counting of votes for the post of Kuala Selangor PKR Division chief was sabotaged by way of the electricity disruption on the night of June 25.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim failed to defend the post in the re-election, losing to Manikavasagam, who is a former MP for Kapar.
Abdul Khalid garnered 515 votes to Manikavasagam’s 701.
Azman had alleged as reported by a newspaper that Abdul Khalid’s votes were higher in number than Manikavasagam’s earlier during the counting and until the power failure occurred.
He claimed that after electricity supply was restored, about two hours later, the number of votes for Manikavasagam had increased.
As such, Azman said, Abdul Khalid wanted a re-election for the division. Manikavasagam said he would not agree to a re-election.
“We will object and protest if a re-election is called,” he said.
— BERNAMA
