LIKE HIS MENTOR AZMIN, BARU BIAN PROVES TO BE ANOTHER FALSE BOASTER – HIS CLAIM OF HAVING MAJORITY SUPPORT OF SARAWAK PKR FIZZLES OUT AS MEMBERS THRONG ANNUAL CONVENTION TO GREET ANWAR DESPITE HIS BOYCOTT CALL

I have no problems with Baru, says Anwar

MIRI: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will decide on the candidates deemed eligible to contest in the next Sarawak state election expected to take place next year.

He said the decision would be made based on grassroots’ sentiment towards any potential candidate.

Anwar, who was here to open the Sarawak PKR Convention and the party’s 12th state election machinery, said the method of candidacy assessment also applies to Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian, who is absent from today’s event.

It was reported that the state party leadership is split following a move by Baru to openly side with party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in an ongoing dispute with Anwar.

Baru had announced a decision to cancel the event last week, much to the protest of local leaders.

Anwar urged the party to remain united despite differences in personal views and opinions.

“We, including Baru Bian (as the state chief) must listen to the people and our members from all the branches. We must strengthen our party to win Sarawak and champion issues close to the people’s heart.

“I will decide who to stand in the state election based on the reactions on the ground and I hope everyone will agree with the final decision made,” he said in his speech.

Baru is also facing protests from several state PKR division leaders concerning the pro-Azmin and pro-Anwar camps, with some calling for the federal works minister to step down as state party chairman.

On rumours whether a potentially new state chief would be from his camp, Anwar clarified that only those with the highest votes would be chosen to lead the state party chapter.

“Everyone in PKR are my people and I have no problems with him (Baru). Although I can decide on who should hold the position, I prefer to do it in a democratic way – where I respect the voices of the majority.”

Despite Baru’s absence, the 2019 Sarawak PKR convention went on smoothly, with more than 1,000 party members and leaders from 30 branches present.

Last Friday, the Sarawak PKR leadership council led by Baru called off the state convention in protest of an alleged overture to prevent Mohamed Azmin from officiating the PKR Youth National Convention in Melaka next month.

In a statement, Baru called on the party top leadership to avert a party crisis and unless it was resolved satisfactorily, the Sarawak PKR Convention would remain cancelled.

Baru also said the statement was meant to unite the party.

He is backed by 19 Sarawak PKR branches, while 11 others have declared support for Anwar. – – NST

GET READY FOR STATE POLLS, ANWAR ORDERS SARAWAK PKR

MIRI: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim told the party’s Sarawak chapter to be ready to face the 12th state election and boost its strength to ensure a Pakatan Harapan (PH) victory.

Anwar said all quarters must be united and cooperate to ensure the party’s candidates emerge victorious in the election.

He said they should also step up cooperation in the PH government, both at the state and federal levels.

“Focus on PRN12 (the 12th Sarawak state election) to ensure victory for PKR and PH,” he said when launching the Sarawak PKR convention here today.

The election must be held by Sept 7, 2021, but is expected to be called next year.

Anwar said that as part of the preparations for the election, Sarawak PKR must quickly hold meetings involving all party divisions in the state, including the process of picking the candidates.

He wanted all the divisions to be given the opportunity to give their opinions and proposals and not to be dominated by certain quarters.

He said all views would be taken into account by the central leadership before decisions were made based on the conclusions of the state leadership.

“PKR is a democratic party which decides based on the majority,’’ he said.

Later, speaking to reporters, Anwar said he was prepared to discuss with any quarters internal issues of the party.

“I can discuss with anybody, no problem,’’ he said, adding that all members must comply with the party constitution.

Also present at the opening of the convention, attended by more than 1,000 delegates, was PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. – FMT

NST / FREE MALAYSIA TODAY