Miri MP: We want Anwar to lead S'wak PKR in state elections

MIRI: The majority of PKR leaders as well as the grassroots in Sarawak want party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead the party's campaign in the coming state elections, says Miri PKR chairman Dr Michael Teo.

The Miri MP said on Wednesday (Nov 20) that this was why Anwar had been invited to preside over the PKR national convention in Miri on Saturday (Nov 23).

"The convention this Saturday will see the convergence of more than 1,000 state and national PKR leaders.

"As the chairman of the organising committee, I can say that Anwar has confirmed that he will be coming.

"The main agenda to be discussed is the coming state elections, which we, in PKR, feels will be very soon.

"We must activate our state election machinery now," he said.

Dr Teo added that Anwar was the best person to lead the state election machinery.

Asked if this meant that PKR leaders in Sarawak had no confidence in state PKR chief Baru Bian, he said this was a separate issue.

"We have also invited Baru Bian to our convention in Miri this Saturday.

"Whether or not there will be any other issues brought up by others... I do not know. But as far as I am concerned, our focus this Saturday is on the coming state election," he said.

The 12th state election is due by June 2021 but there is talk that polls will be called by the middle of next year.

Over the past few days, there have been public spats in Sarawak involving claims of mutiny against Baru by 18 of the 31 PKR branches in Sarawak over his leadership. Baru is said to be a key supporter of PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali who has had a falling-out with Anwar.