JEFFREY TO CONDUCT AUDIT OF PKR WOES

By: JOE FERNANDEZ

SABAH PKR strongman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan intends to commission an independent audit of PKR, especially the conduct of its ongoing and disputed elections.

He has pledged that he would limit his role strictly to drawing up the terms of reference (TOR) for the audit. He said he give two months to the independent auditors to complete their report.

“The report could form the basis for everyone to decide on their future political direction, especially on how best they can contribute to the agenda for change and reform,” he said. “Everyone can contribute, and not just PKR members.”

Jeffrey, an outgoing vice-president of the party, said the audit team would include at least two members from the minority rebel camp in Sabah PKR “so that no one can turn around and politicise or discredit the entire process”.

Not all the members of the audit team, to include political scientists and lawyers, have been identified. However, he disclosed that the first draft of the TOR had been completed. “They will begin with the background and the run-up to the widespread dissatisfaction over the manner in which the party elections are being conducted.”

The auditors will address, among other things, the perception that the party is not functioning according to its constitution.

It will also probe whether the presidency has been weakened or even reduced to irrelevance. However, it will not be asked to recommend whether the party should retain or abolish the position of Ketua Umum, the personal-to-holder job held by Anwar Ibrahim.

“If party members want to subscribe to a Ketua Umum, it’s probably acceptable considering the unique circumstances in the party, but not at the expense of the presidency and the party constitution,” said Jeffrey. “The Ketua Umum must be someone around whom members gather naturally, not forced to kowtow to.

“The president must be respected and given every support and opportunity to carry out her duties to the best of her ability.”

He conceded that the party held regular meetings of its national political bureau and the supreme council “but members don’t seem to be very happy with the proceedings so far”.

Jeffrey said the audit would not duplicate the investigation that party president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail has spoken about.

Wan Azizah said on Saturday that “all polls irregularities would be probed and stern action taken”. The investigation is expected to zero in on Sabah first since it was the disappointing results from the state that forced Zaid Ibrahim to pull out from the race for the deputy presidency. Zaid has strong links with Sabah, where his wife grew up and spent much of her youth.

“I am just trying to help and nothing more,” said Jeffrey. “The findings of the audit team would make useful reading for the president. Everyone can help.”