PETALING JAYA, MAY 22- PKR may consider postponing internal elections scheduled for November this year, according to the party’s secretary-general, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said some PKR members felt that the party needed time to consolidate following the recent general election.
“We put in a lot of time, effort and resources for the 13th general election,” Saifuddin told a press conference here. “Some are of the view that the party needs to rebuild its strength and base before holding party polls.”
However, he acknowledged that there were voices arguing that the polls should be held on schedule because it could help boost members’ morale after the general election.
He also said any decision to put off the polls would require amendments to the party’s constitution.
“And for that to happen, we need to hold a special congress to get delegates’ approval,” he said, adding that he had discussed the matter with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
Asked whether the matter would be discussed at the party congress opening this Friday, Saifuddin replied in the negative.
“This meeting is being done to settle outstanding issues from 2012, such as getting our financial statements and meeting minutes from last year approved.
“If you remember, this congress was supposed to be held last year, but we postponed it for the general election. So we need to resolve matters pending from last year, as required by ROS.”
Saifuddin unveiled the theme for the congress—Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat, which is the exact sound bite used to rally Pakatan supporters to the massive gatherings held in protest against alleged cheating by BN in GE13.
The congress will be held for two days at the MBPJ Civic Centre. Saifuddin said he expected about 2,500 party delegates, observers and guests to attend.
Saifuddin was coy when asked to comment on calls for BN and Pakatan to stop bickering and learn to work with each other.
“As for recognising Najib Tun Razak’s government,” he said, “it will be decided by the Pakatan leadership council.”
Several political analysts yesterday called on BN to appoint a fair number of Pakatan leaders to sit in parliamentary committees and urged Pakatan to recognise Najib’s government on condition that it commit itself to improving the electoral system.
Saifuddin said PKR would continue mobilising the masses against election fraud and collecting evidence of alleged rigging in the recent polls.
He declared the party’s support for Bersih’s plan to convene a “people’s tribunal” to examine evidence of fraud in GE13.
