The Sarawak PKR convention in Miri on Nov 23 will go on despite the state party chief calling it off, said PKR’s Miri MP Michael Teo Yu Keng.
Teo told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today that he had received the blessing of party president Anwar Ibrahim and PKR state conventions director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to proceed with the plan.
He said the decision was made as it would be unfair to state PKR members who had made arrangements to attend the event if it was called off now following state chairperson Baru Bian's directive.
"We understand that some members have already made arrangements such as transportation, including buying tickets and booking their accommodations.
"A last-minute cancellation of the event would not only be unfair to the members but would also give a bad impression to the party. For me, this move is very unprofessional on the MPN’s (state leadership) part.
"We have decided to proceed the programme on Nov 23 at Pullman Hotel Miri with the blessing of Nik Nazmi and party president Anwar Ibrahim," Teo said, reading from a pre-prepared press statement.
Also at the press conference was PKR member and Sarawak Pro-Keadilan chairperson Iswardy Morni, who claimed that many party members and division leaders have agreed to attend the convention despite Baru's call for cancellation.
He added that it was within the PKR central leadership's power to decide on the convention and that the state was only acting as the organiser.
"We already have Sarawak division leaders agreeing to attend, including the chiefs of Limbang, Sibuti, Selangau, Hulu Rajang, Baram and Igan divisions.
"Besides the division chiefs and their members, there are members from other divisions such as Petra Jaya and Betong who said they would be at the convention," said Iswardy.
The press conference was held in response to Baru's media statement earlier today, in which he gave an ultimatum to the PKR central leadership in relation to deputy president Azmin Ali's invitation to officiate the Youth national congress being rescinded.
Cancellation decision not in line with the spirit of democracy
In a separate statement, Nik Nazmi (below) chided the state PKR leadership's decision, saying that they would not have planned to cancel the convention if they truly believed in PKR's democratic values.
"In relation to the Sarawak PKR Convention, we have had lengthy discussions with the state leaders since last September, with the last talks being held yesterday.
"If Sarawak MPN truly believes in the spirit of democracy in PKR, they would not have simply wished to cancel the convention, which had been discussed and decided together.
"Thus, the convention would go on at the Miri Pullman Hotel on the planned date and time," he said.
Nik Nazmi also refuted Baru's allegation that Azmin’s invitation being rescinded had tarnished the spirit of democracy in PKR, saying the decision was made by PKR Youth during their meeting on Oct 20.
Meanwhile, four Sarawak PKR division chiefs, including Teo, who claimed to represent 13 others, also issued a joint-press statement voicing their rejection of Baru's decision.
The three others are Selangau division chief Joshua Jabeng, Piee Ling (Batang Sadong), and Larry Sng (Julau).
Saying they wanted the convention to go on as planned, the division chiefs also described the attempted cancellation as an act of arrogance.
"The party's struggle can only move forward by standing behind our president Anwar Ibrahim.
“Many members had made preparations to hear messages from central leaders, and it is unfair if the grassroots’ wish is set aside just because a leader felt offended and wanted to politicise the matter," the statement said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.