Work as one?

Sarawak PKR Convention

Anwar’s call for unity sounds hollow with absence of Baru & Co.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to town with a war cry to unite to win the coming Sarawak’s 12th election due in 2021.

“We must win this coming 12th state election,” he said to about 1,200 delegates attending the state PKR convention in a hotel here yesterday.

Among the 1,200 were PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, Julau MP Larry Sng, Hulu Rajang chief Abun Sui Anyit, Baram deputy chief Roland Enggan and the convention organising chairman Datuk Sng Chee Hua.

“I want PKR Sarawak leadership to help us win the election. That is why we must work as one team,” he said.

But the current state PKR leadership is in tatters. The absence yesterday of Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, vice-chairman See Chee How and national vice-president Ali Biju came across like a thunder on a fine afternoon.

There were murmurings and they were louder than Anwar’s war cry over the public address system.

Anwar spoke of putting service to the rakyat ahead of personal interests.

He also spoke of loyalty to the party and “never forget your roots….bear in mind that the party’s trusts (in you) have made you what you are today” — an obvious reference to the PKR elected representatives who were not at the convention because they were against it.

As he spoke, delegates were whispering among themselves asking questions: How many of the delegates are with Anwar? Who will lead the state PKR, Larry? Dr Teo? How far can Sarawak PKR go without Baru Bian and group?

Anwar said as party president, he has the authority to decide and do what he thinks is right and for the good of the party.

Some delegates didn’t think so, and among themselves they countered saying the very thing Baru and group have been saying — that the state PKR has autonomous power to decide party policies and activities in the state.

These delegates were heard asking where the convention was leading to, and why the need for the convention at all when it did not address the issue or rather the lack of party unity.

They said if there was anything the convention achieved it was greater disunity.

Anwar said the party must move on, but the whisperings on the floor were of doubt — if indeed PKR is relevant to Sarawak. Or, is it just another Malayan party with Malayans in full control?