Sarawak PKR will meet soon to select new leaders for its Julau division following the resignation of several of its key leaders during the Batang Ai by-election.

The division was left ‘stranded’ when its chairperson, Ambrose Labang, his deputy Wong Kee Kai, secretary Kajang Unan and a committee member Kundi Untung, left the party.

And they did not leave in a friendly manner – they came out with their guns blazing at PKR leaders as they campaigned vigorously for the BN candidate Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.

Labang’s resignation two days before polling on April 7 in the presence of Joseph Salang, PRS information chief at the BN operations centre in Batang Ai was said to have caused devastating effects on PKR chances in the by-election.

“I have decided to leave PKR because the party will never be able to carry out development programmes or help the people in the rural areas.

by election batang ai bukit selambau bukit gantang “The people in the rural areas still need the BN government and as such they should not waste their time with PKR anymore,” he had said and called on voters of Batang Ai to support the BN. Labang was in PKR for two years.

BN made full use of Labang as the main speaker in the ir campaign especially in the opposition’s strongholds where he told the voters the “true” picture of PKR.

Even Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud warmly welcomed Labang and his friends, describing the change of heart of PKR members as a positive sign for the coalition in the Batang Ai by-election.

Many people to take over

Jawah lost badly even in areas believed to be the stronghold of the opposition; he won only in four polling districts out of a total of 26 securing 2053 votes compared to 3907 obtained by Mussen.

dominique ng But Kuching PKR chairperson Dominique Ng was not worried with the situation in Julau, saying that “we have many people who can take over and who are strongly committed to bring about change not only in Julau, but also in Sarawak.”

He described the resignation of the former Julau PKR leaders as “good riddance to bad rubbish.

Julau division is one of 13 PKR divisions that have been registered with the Registrar of Societies. The others are Kuching, Stampin, Petrajaya, Santubong, Serian, Baram, Sarikei, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Batang Sadong and Kota Samarahan.

Ng said the party hopes to register PKR divisions in all the 71 state constituencies before the next state election,” said Ng who is the state assemblyperson for Padungan.

Meanwhile, Malaysians for free and fair election (Mafrel) is expected to return to Lubok Antu this weekend to gather more information on the conduct of the Batang Ai by-election held on April 7 before finalising its reports.

“There are certain issues which are not very clear and we have to go back to Batang Ai to seek further clarifications,” said Peter John Jaban, Mafrel head for the Batang Ai by-election.

The reports which must be supported by facts and photographs should be ready in two weeks’ time, he said.