PKR dealt another blow as Sarawak women’s chief quits

KUCHING: PKR suffered another blow when its Sarawak women’s chief quit the party.

On Sunday night, Srikandi chief Catherine Jok Uvang (pic) announced she has quit the party with immediate effect, saying she has lost confidence and trust in the party’s leadership and direction.

She said PKR’s leadership had changed over time and the party no longer lived up to its ideals of justice and equality for all.

“Instead, the party leadership is focusing on the personal interests and ambitions of certain individuals who are craving positions and power,” she said.

Catherine added that the recent mass sacking and suspension of party members nationwide, including Sarawak leaders such as Selangau MP Baru Bian, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, former state PKR deputy chairman Baharuddin Mokhsen and former state PKR women’s chief Nurhanim Mokhsen, were “beyond comprehension and unacceptable” to party members and supporters in the state.

“Such inappropriate action had erased the confidence of numerous party members and supporters towards the party and its leadership,” she said. Besides Catherine, Kakus PKR women’s chief Caroline Ukau @ Gerunsin also announced her resignation yesterday, citing the same reasons as Catherine.

Other Sarawak PKR members who have left the party in recent days include Stampin and Kanowit division committee members, Mas Gading division chairman Boniface Willy Tumek and his deputy Francis Teron Kadap, PKR national women’s vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni and state PKR Youth deputy chief Steve Teo.

Meanwhile, state PKR information chief Abun Sui said the leadership at the grassroots level is undergoing a “necessary cleansing” process, and the spate of resignations was part of the process, he told The Star.

“Sarawak PKR is in the midst of cleansing itself in preparation to face the coming state election, and later, the national election.

“We are seeing resignations from certain sections of the branch leadership and members. This is happening in Kuching, Mas Gading, Stampin, Petra Jaya, Kanowit, Lanang, Lubok Antu and Bintulu.

“This is expected as they are no longer in tune with the party leadership at the state and federal levels. The number who have left as well as those that are leaving is not damaging to Sarawak PKR.

“In fact, it will make Sarawak PKR stronger as we will have new blood to bring the party forward,” he said.