Though the presence of party supremo Anwar Ibrahim in Sibu over the weekend proved a big distraction, day-long briefings held for PKR activists elsewhere in the state almost simultaneously were well-attended.

The briefings were held to step up PKR cadres’ readiness for fast approaching state elections.

In all three day-long briefings – the first in Sibu last Saturday, the second in Kuching on Sunday, and the third in Saratok on Monday – attendance at each was in excess of 100 workers.

The attendance was composed of party activists not only from the towns in which they were held but also from surrounding constituencies.

pkr national congress 301108 syed husin ali PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali was present at all three briefings to give the overall party stand on the significance of the state poll in the overall national political scenario.

“I would say that given Anwar’s presence in Sibu which was a big event, the attendance and diligence at the three briefings were good,” said Syed Husin.

“It was best in Saratok where the party workers were especially keen on how to get the party machinery functioning for the state poll and what to watch out for,” he elaborated.

In recent weeks, doubts have been expressed about the state of the PKR’s machinery in the areas the party is to contest.

The party is in on-going negotiations its cohorts in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, DAP and PAS, and, latterly, Sarawak opposition party Snap.

‘Make do with what little we have’

The reservations over PKR’s preparations are justified by the peculiar difficulties campaign workers encounter in a state of vast distances where transport is either by sports utility vehicle or by river craft.

The helicopter ride is the popular means of conveyance for the ruling BN, their deep pockets availing them of the swiftest method of transportation.

sarawak penan community in ba jawi ulu baram 160609 01 PKR are not similarly well-heeled and recent word from the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur urged the divisions in Sarawak to source for funds on their own and be less dependent on central funding.

This has placed party stalwarts in the interior of the state at a disadvantage because the poverty and transportation difficulties in these areas make organising fund raising affairs there impossible.

“We have to make do with what little we have,” said Syed Husin.

In these straits, the spirit of party activists may be willing but slender sustenance means idealism would have to suffice when the cash runs out.