SARAWAK PKR’S woes continue with the resignations today of the Kuching and Sri Aman branch chiefs, as well as women and youth leaders, in solidarity with those sacked by the party.

This comes after the state chapter’s women’s head, Catherine Jok Uvang, and Kakus division women’s head, Caroline Ukau @ Gerunsin, quit yesterday, as well as the entire Stampin branch committee on May 14.

Announcing his resignation, state PKR youth election director Simon Siah said the party is only as good as its members, alluding to sacked state chairman Baru Bian and Batu Lintang rep See Chee How, whom he said “were both instrumental to the success of PKR in Sarawak”.

“The party is merely a platform for the good people who are in the party, who have their minds set on the people of Malaysia, and Sarawak specifically.”

He said the state chapter stood firmly behind Baru “despite the national leadership trying to undermine him in the past years”.

Baru was sacked for supporting Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister instead of party president Anwar Ibrahim in February’s political crisis.

Sri Aman chief Yen Jebeni cited disappointment in the national leadership for failing to resolve the long-standing turmoil in PKR that has resulted in sackings and suspensions.

Uvang, meanwhile, said PKR has deviated from its original struggles, and is “no longer upholding and living up to the ideals of justice and equality for all”.

Instead, she said, the national leadership is focused on propelling “the personal interests and ambitions of certain individuals who crave positions and power”.

Political observers said they are not surprised by the resignations.

University of Tasmania Asia Institute director James Chin said they had been expected when Baru was sacked and replaced with Julau MP Larry Sng.

He said Sng will find it difficult to rebuild support in Kuching, whose PKR branch members have quit en masse, as well as Sibu.

“That should be good news for GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak).”

The areas where PKR stands a chance are Miri and Baram, as well as Sng’s home base of Kapit, he said.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the resignations have left PKR on the back foot ahead of the state elections expected to be called in the first half of next year.

“GPS has become too strong to be toppled.”

However, he added that “(PKR) can win some seats if they know how to get the most out of local issues, and if they have a popular local leader”.

“In the past, PKR has shown that they could win by exploiting local issues, like how Krian assemblyman Ali Biju won by playing up his Barisan Nasional opponent’s unpopularity.” – May 19, 2020.