Sarawak PKR has denied that the party will face an exodus of supporters from eight of the party's 14 divisions which are unhappy with the new state committee line-up.

In a statement emailed to Malaysiakini , state liaison committee secretary Piee Ling said reports of resignations of "thousands of supporters" from PKR was untrue.

"What Batang Sadong division chief Sakawi Nahar said is his personal view," said Piee.

mustafa kamil ayub Sakawi, in an interview with The Borneo Post , claimed that PKR Sarawak was on the verge of breaking up with eight division chiefs planning to quit along with their supporters if party new state chief Mustafa Kamil Ayub ( left ) did not address their grouses.

The divisional chiefs were dissatisfied because none of them was consulted before the state committee line-up was formed, he said. Six of the eight divisional chiefs were not appointed into the state leadership.

parliament 170209 anwar ibrahim "This is not a simple rift. There will be en bloc resignation of members from eight PKR divisions in Sarawak," Sakawi said.

"However, before making any drastic move, the group is going to present a petition to national PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim to express their dissatisfaction over the matter before PKR is scheduled to hold its extraordinary meeting tomorrow."

He named the "unhappy divisions" as Batang Sadong, Sibu, Sarikei, Samarahan, Serian, Bandar Kuching, Santubong and Petra Jaya.

Apart from Bandar Kuching, the other divisions are predominantly Malay parliamentary constituencies.

Dissatisfaction exists in the divisions

Piee however said that he had spoken to all the eight divisions and dismissed talks of mass resignations.

He nevertheless conceded that there was dissatisfaction over the state leadership.

"The process to select the state leaders started early this year after listening to the views of the members. And as loyal members of the party, we have to abide by the decision of the majority and party leadership," he said.

parti keadilan rakyat pkr and sarawak state election "Even though the party practises democracy to allow members to express their views, they should voice their grievances through the proper channel."

Piee added that the party leadership would go to the ground to explain the situation involving the state PKR.

"It is important for the members to understand the issue and to be united in order to strengthen the party especially at the divisional level in view of the coming state election," he said.

Sarawak PKR was headed by Ng after the 2006 state polls by virtue that he was the sole party state assemblyperson in Sarawak.

Anwar took over the post last year to spearhead preparations for the coming state election, expected to be due next year. However, Anwar relinquished the post last month as he was preoccupied with other responsibilities.

Mustafa, who is PKR vice-president and former party secretary general, subsequently named Sarawak state chief.

Sarawak PKR has 14 registered divisions and 14 more waiting for approval from the Registrar of Societies.