Baru Bian to lead PKR’s Sarawak election efforts

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim (centre) speaks to reporters after chairing a meeting with the central leadership council. He is flanked by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (left) and vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. (Facebook screengrab)

PETALING JAYA: With Sarawak state elections due in 2021, PKR today named its Sarawak leader Baru Bian to take charge of the election machinery, with the help of the central leadership team, Ali Biju, Saifuddin Nasution, Tian Chua and Xavier Jayakumar.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said the team will begin their duties immediately, to draft a strategy and while negotiating with other component parties.

“They will also prepare the machinery to ensure an effective direction in the Sarawak election,” he said after a meeting of the central leadership council.

On other matters, Anwar said PKR Youth had been reprimanded for organising a carnival-like Ramadan event, and said the leadership had discussed allegations of sexual harrassment made against Kesavan Subramaniam, MP for Sungai Siput.

Anwar who is the Port Dickson MP apologised for the PKR Youth event, and said the youth wing had been told to respect Ramadan, the fasting month, and not to organise any events that are contrary to Islamic tradition.

“The PKR Youth chief said the event was managed by his deputy and I have asked PKR Youth to address this weakness,” he said. He did not go into details.

Anwar said the party is awaiting the outcome of a police investigation on allegations made against Kesavan before coming out with any decision.

“We have discussed Kesavan’s case with the bureau. We will look at the matter seriously,” he said.

Last week, a woman, who claimed to be a former aide, lodged a police report in Selangor against Kesavan. He has denied the charges and lodged a counter police report against the woman. - FMT