Watchdog group to monitor PKR elections

As intense campaigning is expected in the PKR party elections, Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff has come up with an initiative to form a watchdog group to ensure a clean and fair election.

The group, called Mydemocracy Watch, will give party members an avenue to complain over any suspected abuse of power in the run-up to the party elections.

Expectations for the party to be a beacon for democracy and justice are higher now and the group is intended to give its election process greater transparency.

"The party has empowered one member to one vote and we have about 218 divisions with about 400,000 members. It is a mammoth task to stem undemocratic practices such as cronyism, nepotism, abuse of position, and abuse of public office in the country and party.

"We must ensure good governance in the management of party affairs,"said Yusmadi (right).

"PKR had progressed further from the 2008 general election, as some members are now holding executive and government posts now. The watchdog group wants to ensure a free and democratic election process where candidates will contest on a level playing field."

He said financial capabilities or being in a position of power, should not be used to influence members to elect them.

Yusmadi said it is better a watchdog committee is formed now, to monitor the party elections than to have the problem of money politics escalate and going out of control.

He said there are already grouses that there are candidates who are using the name of de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim (right), as they jostle for posts, while the truth was that Anwar has not endorsed anyone.

The Balik Pulau MP, who is the co-ordinator of the watchdog group, said with the formation of Mydemocracy, members now have an avenue to seek justice and will engage in healthy campaigning.

Election committee insufficient

Yusmadi said the party election committee which has 150 members, lacks manpower which may prove a hindrance in curbing unhealthy practices.

"The Mydemocracy Watch will assist the committee and also the disciplinary committee in stemming such undemocratic practices," he said.

"Members can reach us by emailing their complaints to mydemocracywatch@gmail.com or contact Syafiq Sunny at 017-2793252. We will try to assist and make their complaints known to the top leadership," he said.

Yusmadi said among the complaints that have been made include threats against a Negeri Sembilan Youth exco member, and also an incident of chairs being thrown in Perlis.

He said some members may not be brave enough to lodge complaints to the disciplinary committee or election committee but the watchdog group would investigate and bring the issue to the upper echelon.

Yusmadi gave a reminder that following amendments to the Societies Act, made in the time of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad (left), any decision taken by a political party cannot be challenged in court.

"Hence, we need to have an internal mechanism within the party to check on possible abuses. This watchdog group would be seen as fulfilling that as we want to ensure transparency. We will not be partisan or support any group," he emphasised.

The party elections would run from Sept 17 to Nov 21, and a keen contest for posts is expected as the party has increased in its prominence and representations in state assemblies and in Parliament in recent years.