PKR Baram sees big rise in membership applications
The applications are probably more if forms which are not complete are taken into account.
MIRI: Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) is seeing a sharp increase in membership applications in northern Sarawak following the stunning victory of Pakatan Harapan ( PH) in the recent 14th general election (GE14).
Dennis Along, secretary of PKR Baram, said the branch had received over 1,000 applications in a space of two months, whereas it took nine years to achieve that number before GE14 as the former opposition party had gained traction with the local community.
“The applications are probably more if forms which are not complete are taken into account,” he said of the surge of popularity of the party.
He said the applications have to go through a screening process before they are approved.
Saying the party welcomes anyone who is able to help strengthen the party in serving the community, he noted that the response had been overwhelming from youths aged 20 to 40.
He said the change of government is felt even in the remote corners.
“There is a big change in attitude and tone on the ground,
Dennis Along, PKR Baram secretary
and it is a shock to leaders and the community in the countryside to see former opposition leaders now appearing in TV or radio as ministers,” he quipped.
Dennis lamented that the rural communities were conditioned by Barisan Nasional ( BN) to equate the coalition with the government.
“To them, BN equals the government and it came as a shock for them to see the opposite scenario in TV news now,” he said.
He believed that this change of mindset could pave the way for PH to dislodge Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the state government in the next state election which is due in 2021.
Meanwhile, the rising support for PKR in town was also evident when the Sarawak Day celebration here on July 22 received overwhelming response.
“We expected 50 to 70 persons to come but about 200 turned up at our forum,” he said.
The event included talks by former history teacher Boyce Ngau on the formation of Malaysia, lawyer Jerry Rum ( PDA 1974), activist Philip Jau (native territorial domain and dams), former lecturer Elia Bit ( political development) and lawyer Roland Engan (rights and the law).
Building on this momentum, PKR Baram is organising a similar event to be held on Sept 16 to commemorate Malaysia Day.