By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 24: Works Minister Baru Bian is glad that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will adhere to the party’s constitution in appointing the party’s state chairman for Sarawak.
Baru explained that it is not entirely the prerogative of the party president to appoint the state’s chairman, more so for Sabah and Sarawak as both states had been given the autonomy in this matter.
“It’s very clear for Sarawak and Sabah in the provision of our party constitution that the appointments of the chairmen for Sarawak and Sabah be done after consultation with all the cabang heads in the states, only then the president would appoint the chosen ones.
“So, it is not correct to say that it is the prerogative of the president. But it is according to the provision where you must consult all the division chiefs of Sarawak,” he told reporters after a grand welcoming party for him at the Kuching International Airport today.
Baru said that the provision of the constitution was very clear, and it had been done before, and the party leadership had no intention to amend it.
“And I think this is one of the very important features of the constitution of Keadilan, giving autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak and is consistent with our claims that we are bringing back our status as equal to the peninsula,” he explained.
Anwar was yesterday quoted by a national English daily as saying that the party’s leadership would follow the party’s constitution in appointing the Sarawak party chairman.
“We will follow the party constitution. Such a problem does not arise. It has only been stirred up by the media and one or two people. That’s normal,” Anwar was quoted as saying.
Earlier, in his public address upon arriving at the KIA, Baru said he was ready to be reappointed as the state PKR chairman if that is what Sarawak PKR members wanted.
“It is up to you as members of this Keadilan, as division chiefs of Sarawak to choose our future. And as far as I am concerned, I am ready to lead us again if you would give me that mandate,” he said. — DayakDaily
