PKR POLLS | Tian Chua, who appears set to return as PKR vice-president for a third term, has urged party members and leaders to close ranks now that the bulk of the party elections are over.

In a statement today, Chua acknowledged that there are still discrepancies with the election process to be ironed out, but called for the healing process to begin.

“By this stage, all of us should ‘wind down’ and start to reconcile. We must return to one family,” he said.

Chua added that party leaders must get back to work as new PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has to carry out reform plans for Parliament, while backbenchers have to get back to the Budget 2019 debate.

“The rest of us who are not legislators, have to start reconstructing and strengthening our party, at the grassroots level.

“Even more importantly, for all of us who love the party, we must also repair our party’s public image to show that we are magnanimous, rational and professional,” he said.

Chua also congratulated Mohamed Azmin Ali for successfully winning a third term as PKR deputy president. Results have yet to be confirmed, however, as re-elections for some divisions are expected to take place.

Azmin’s challenger Rafizi Ramli (photo) was complimented for his efforts to “complete the party democratic process.”

Chua also expressed his hope that Rafizi would aid reconciliation efforts, and said that he expected the latter to be given a role in PKR central leadership council (MPP).

“I believe the new leadership will appoint him a role and certainly the party values his contribution. Now it is time for reconciliation at all levels for the consolidation of the party.

“I thanks all party members and supporters for their support and commitment. Without all of you, the leaders will not sustain. We must proudly declare we are again standing united,” he said.

'Don't prematurely celebrate victory'

Meanwhile, PKR Youth assistant secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman, in a statement, urged all candidates to not get "too excited' and declare themselves as winners, as the party polls have yet to be concluded.

"There is a sizeable sum of votes yet to be counted and chances are, there will be re-elections in the Julau and Tawau divisions, due to technical problems. 

"A viral video clip shows that voters could vote several times in the Tawau division, while the party's election committee has confirmed that nine tablets used in the Julau election have been tampered with.

"The huge victory of Rafizi Ramli in the Pensiangan division also closes the gap between him and the incumbent (Azmin), to below a 4,000-vote majority," Syed Badli Shah said. 

"Therefore, all parties should calm down and not get too excited by declaring themselves as winners, as the game is not yet over," he added.