Three Orang Ulu lawyers join PKR

Three Orang Ulu lawyers, well known in defending native customary rights land cases, have joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

They are Baru Bian ( right ), a Lun Bawang from Lawas, Harrison Ngau , a Kayan from Baram, and Paul Raja, a Kelabit from Bario.

Ngau is a former Independent member of Parliament for Baram and a well known social activist among the Orang Ulu community.

They represent the majority of more than 175 NCR land cases that the natives have brought against the state government and the relevant companies in the courts.

State PKR chairperson Dominique Ng said the trio are expected to contest in the three Orang Ulu majority state seats - Belaga, Telang Usan and Ba'Kelalan.

Baru told Malaysiakini that he joined PKR a week after the March 8 general election due to his belief that a multi racial party is the best option for him and other Dayaks in pursuing their goals to make Sarawak a better place for all irrespective of race and religion.

He added the party was also deeply committed to fight corruption, promote transparency and good governance and justice for all communities.

Anwar in Sarawak

State PKR deputy head Baharuddin Mokhsen told Malaysiakini that the party would not any difficulty in finding suitable candidates for the next state election due in 2011.

According to him, the party has identified many potential candidates for the 17 Malay majority and 10 Melanau majority seats out of the total of 71 state assembly seats.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim flew into Kuching today to close a one-day seminar organised for party leaders. Batu MP Tian Chua was also present.

Tomorrow, Anwar will travel to Lubok Antu to launch the party's new Lubok Antu division which will be led by former Sarawak Dayak National Union president Nicholas Bawin.

Bawin stood as an Independent for the Lubok Antu parliamentary seat in the March election but lost to the BN candidate in a straight fight.