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.