PKR sec-gen chides Baru's 'old' politics, tells him to attend politburo meet

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has urged Baru Bian to attend the next political bureau meeting to discuss and resolve grouses through the proper channel.

This is after the Sarawak PKR chief issued an ultimatum to the leadership in relation to deputy president Azmin Ali's invitation to officiate the Youth national congress being rescinded.

"This is why we recommend attending meetings. (Because) by attending meetings, we can level everything on the table.

"Baru is a member of the political bureau. So he can wait for the next scheduled meeting to ask his questions and request an explanation. When he comes to meetings, only then we can explain.

“What is the issue that he wants to raise? The retraction of the invitation to Azmin? We will explain how the Youth wing's congress is the business of PKR Youth.

"It is up to the Youth to handle invitations, determine what are the motions to be debated, the themes and so on. These are all up to them," he told Malaysiakini when contacted this afternoon.

Earlier, Baru threatened that Sarawak PKR would cancel its convention slated for Nov 23 in Miri if the invitation issue concerning Azmin is not resolved.

The Selangau MP, a known ally of the deputy president, decried the snub as a violation of party tradition and an attack on democratic principles.

Saifuddin: This is outdated politics

However, Saifuddin chided Baru for practicing outdated politics.

"We don't make decisions through press statements and give ultimatums to the party leadership.

"That is out of style, not the politics that would benefit and strengthen the party.

"So I suggest that Baru as the Sarawak chairperson attends the political bureau meeting, where he is free to air any grouses," he added.

Yesterday, Azmin claimed there is an attempt to silence him and is convinced that hidden hands are responsible for the cancellation of the invitation.

"This is an attempt to shut my mouth, to (stop) me from reprimanding the present leadership.

“The current situation does not bode well for Pakatan Harapan because there are those trying to weaken the party's struggle," he added.

Although he did not mention names, it is obvious that the minister was referring to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and his faction.

This faction and those aligned to Azmin have been involved in a protracted feud and even the recent sex video scandal in which he was implicated was linked to this. - Mkini