THERE are moves to oust Works Minister Baru Bian as head of Sarawak PKR with the use of statutory declarations and offers of money, the state party chief revealed today.

Baru said the plan would have likely been executed at the state party convention, scheduled for this Saturday, which he has now cancelled with the support of the majority of members in the state leadership council.

“We are aware that this move to remove me as chairman of the Sarawak leadership council was planned to be executed during this Sarawak PKR convention. 

“This goes against the democratic principles the party stands for and we reject such insidious moves,” Baru told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said statutory declarations calling for his removal as state party chief have been circulated among division heads. PKR Sarawak has 30 division chiefs.

“Huge amounts of money (are) being offered to ‘sweeten the deal’,” he added.

Baru said he has the support of 19 Sarawak PKR division heads to remain as state chief.

He also urged the national leadership to close ranks for the sake of the party, and to respect Sarawak PKR’s autonomy in deciding matters for the state chapter.

Baru today insisted that Sarawak PKR’s convention scheduled for this Saturday in Miri will not go ahead, despite warnings from PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the national leadership first has to resolve issues affecting the party’s democracy and justice, in reference to the Youth wing’s move to uninvite deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali from officiating its annual congress next month. – November 20, 2019.