PETALING JAYA, MAY 25- PKR is calling for a bi-partisan effort to restore democracy . Its president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said her party is willing to work hand-in hand with the Barisan Nasional government to achieve this.
Speaking at PKR’S annual national congress Wan Azizah said the fact that Pakatan Rakyat has garnered 51% of the popular votes in the recent polls but only won 89 out of 222 parliamentary seat shows the urgent need for a system overhaul.
She said despite the “first-past-the-post” system is also being practiced in foreign countries, the disparity between the most populated constituency and the least populated constituency is nevertheless not as huge as Malaysia.
FMT understands that Wan Azizah was referring to the Putrajaya parliamentary constituency which has only 14,418 voters whereas the Kapar constituency in Selangor has a staggering 144,159 voters.
“Hence, we will demand the BN minority government , alongside with us, push for the democracy restoration agenda through political reformation namely to reform the electoral system and the Parliament before talks for reconciliation,” she said.
She also took a swipe at Umno vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for asking those who are not agreeable with the current political system to migrate, saying that whether he meant for the 51% of the populations to move elsewhere.
Wan Azizah also urged for the ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the granting of identification cards in Sabah to be extended nationwide.
“This is in light of the cases of electoral frauds which was evident in Balik Pulau parliamentary seat where the total ballots counted were more than the ballots issued, and also the failure of indelible ink to last for at least five days as said,” she said.
She said moving forward, the party must strive to strengthen its leadership and organisation, impart “spirit of brotherhood” among members and uphold the justice for all principle.
Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail when addressing the congress said PKR has embarked on its post-election efforts a day after the election, by setting an internal committee headed by strategic director Rafizi Ramli to investigate electoral frauds.
He said the party would also take part in the upcoming “people tribunal” held by electoral reform watchdog Bersih by providing evidences and information.
“Besides, we have tasked (Sungai Petani MP) Johari Abdul to spearhead the Blackout 505 rallies around the country as the main platform for the people to get to know how the election was rigged,” he said.
