No state convention till you put your house in order, Sarawak PKR tells top dogs

(FMT) –  Sarawak PKR is cancelling its convention on Nov 23, saying the party’s national-level leadership must first put its house in order in the wake of infightings over who should officiate the PKR Youth congress next month.

Top party leaders including elected representatives said it was disappointed with the move to replace deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali with Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, saying the decision was unilateral and against party traditions.

“It has been a longstanding tradition and convention of all political parties worldwide to have the deputy president officiate the conventions of the various wings of the parties and PKR has followed in this venerable tradition since its inception,” read a statement signed by Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian and seven senior leaders.

It was reported that PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir had rescinded an invitation to Azmin Ali to officiate the wing’s congress.

Azmin later labelled Akmal a “weak leader”, saying there was an attempt to gag him.

Sarawak PKR said the decision “by a handful of leaders” showed disrespect to PKR members.

“Democracy within the party is now under serious threat and is being blatantly disregarded,” it added.

“As responsible leaders, this crisis must be arrested now before it leads to the total fragmentation of the party which we have struggled to put together in the name of democracy and justice.”