KUCHING, Nov 20: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) publicity chief Vernon Kedit today clarified that Sarawak PKR has the autonomy to decide who they want as their leader. The decision is made by all its division leaders and not by the party president.
He explained that this autonomy was granted after Sarawak PKR fought for it and got it after the Kuching Declaration of 2012.
“PKR Sarawak fought hard to acquire autonomy for ourselves. It was granted after the Kuching Declaration of 2012. In 2014, all 29 Ketua Cabang (branch chiefs) voted in a secret ballot for the chairman of their choice.
“The president then counted the ballots and announced the Ketua Cabang with the most number of votes. He then endorsed the appointment. In 2014, YB Baru Bian (Works Minister, Selangau MP and Ba’Kelalan assemblyman) received a unanimous vote tally to become chairman,” said Vernon in a statement today.
He pointed out that this autonomy was only granted to Sabah and Sarawak.
“Other states’ MPN (State Leadership Council) chairpersons are appointed by the president, as stipulated in the party constitution,” Vernon explained.
Vernon was responding to DayakDaily’s story quoting PKR Julau chief Larry Sng that the appointment of the state PKR chief was the prerogative of the party president.
Sng was reacting to speculations that he might be appointed Sarawak PKR chief because he is the only Sarawakian on the party’s newly elected Central Leadership Council.
“I don’t think Larry wants to erode or roll back our hard-gained autonomy. No true blue Sarawakian would, in his wildest dream, take such a suicidal move. I think Larry is just mistaken. He has much to learn about PKR Sarawak and our procedures and conventions.
“We are not like BN (Barisan Nasional) parties or SWP (Sarawak Workers Party) nor do we follow their procedures and conventions. Larry must understand that,” said Vernon. — DayakDaily
