'Exodus of PKR grassroots in Sarawak will have no impact on party'

The continuous exodus of PKR leaders and members in Sarawak will have no impact on the party, said state PKR information and communications chief Abun Sui Anyit.

It is the decision for them as they no longer observe and respect the party's constitution nor the top leadership, he said in a statement today.

Abun also dismissed the criticism that the affairs of the state PKR were decided by the PKR in the peninsula, calling it "baseless".

"The previous state leadership which betrayed the party, was given adequate space to lead and made its decision without being intervened by the central leadership," he said.

Abun stressed that Sarawak PKR has the autonomy to run its party affairs and the central leadership would only act when there are violations of party rules.

He also brushed off accusation that party president Anwar Ibrahim's faction directly appointed (Julau MP) Larry Sng as the state chief in March.

"That was not correct. In fact, Anwar (photo) had discussed the matter with the division leaders who attended the meeting on March 8 before choosing the candidate that obtained most votes," he said.

Abun said PKR expelled the party leaders and members for violating party discipline and not because there were differences of opinion in the party.

The party reportedly took action against the leaders and members for allegedly undermining the party when they worked with former deputy president Azmin Ali.

Former Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, Saratok MP Ali Biju, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin and Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How were sacked by the party.

The sacking of See, who was also the Stampin chief, had led to the exodus in protest of the entire Stampin committee members, including Mas Gading chairperson Boniface Willy Tumek and deputy chairperson Francis Teron Kadap.

Last week, Sng said he expected mass resignations from grassroots aligned to the previous leadership stretching from Mas Gading, Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Petra Jaya, Kanowit, Lanang, Lubok Antu to Bintulu.  - Mkini