Sarawak NGO withdraws support for PKR over party polls

(FMT) – A Sarawak-based civil society movement is withdrawing its support for PKR, a party it has backed since 2011, owing to the “disgraceful” manner in which the party elections have been handled by the leadership.

Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) founding chairman Francis Siah said the party polls had been tainted with allegations of cheating by rival factions within the party and urged the party’s top leadership to do some soul-searching.

“It is nothing short of a fiasco and the incidents in Julau top it off.

“We had high expectations from PKR and MoCS had supported them in the past two state and general elections,” he said, in reference to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission report lodged over the tremendous increase in PKR members in Julau and the hacking of tablets used in e-voting there.

“The party polls show us that PKR just cannot handle power. The people and party’s time and resources have been wasted these past few months when they could have been used to help many Malaysians who want to see a better country.”

Siah said the PKR leadership must now ask itself if it is happy with what is going on in the party.

“Are the leaders happy that the party is split? Do they even realise that they are on the path of self-destruction?

“Many are disillusioned and disappointed over what has happened during the PKR polls. It does not bode well for Pakatan Harapan and the future of Malaysia, given that the incoming PKR president is supposed to be our next prime minister,” he said, referring to Anwar Ibrahim.

Siah said as far as MoCS is concerned, PKR in Sarawak “no longer exists”, but it will continue to support and endorse credible individuals from the party, including Baru Bian, Dr Michael Teo, See Chee How, Willie Mongin, Baharuddin Mokhsen and Nicholas Mujah.

“MoCS had expected the Sarawak PKR to play the peacemaker role and it is most unfortunate that they have been dragged into this messy and dirty party polls by the national leadership.

“They now look like clowns in a comedy show when the PKR polls is actually a tragedy.”

PKR’s ongoing party polls have been marred by allegations of cheating, brawls and impropriety.