PKR launches election machinery for upcoming Sarawak polls
KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) yesterday launched its election machinery for the upcoming 12th state election at two separate venues, in Kuching and Miri.
Themed ‘Makmur Bersama Keadilan: Mengangkat Martabat Sarawak, Menjulang Taraf Rakyat’ (Prosper With Keadilan, Raising the Dignity of Sarawak, Raising the Status of the People), both events were declared by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In his speech in Kuching, Anwar urged party leaders and seat aspirants in the state not to be constrained by anti Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the election.
“Do not make the SOPs as an excuse, but innovate ways to reach out to voters,” he said at the event attended by party state leaders, divisional chiefs and seat coordinators.
He shared his experience at the Melaka state elections where he and other party leaders had to innovate their ways such as stopping at eateries to meet voters while still maintaining compliance with the SOPs.
On the timing of the state election, Anwar said he believed the holding of the election this year was because Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was afraid of the impact of Undi 18 (lowering of voters age to 18 years old) implementation, which takes effect on Jan 1.
“GPS leaders are afraid of the
young voters who could be their own children. But I am confident (with PKR). If the election is in December, we are able to fight. If it is in January, we will fight better,” he said.
He also believed PKR’s preparation was much better for the upcoming 12th state election compared to the previous elections.
In his speech, Anwar also criticised those elected representatives who had defected from the party during the ‘Sheraton Move’ last year, which led to Pakatan Harapan-led government’s collapse.
He said they had betrayed the people’s mandate and he vowed this would never happen again in the party.
Meanwhile, PKR Sarawak acting chairman Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh said the party was still solid in the state despite the defections.