Sarawak PKR is unable to understand why the state government is planning to carry out a year long celebration to commemorate Sarawak 45th independence when the people are suffering.

"It’s okay if they want to do it over one week, but one year is too much," its deputy chief Baharuddin Mokhsen lamented.

Baharuddin said public funds should be spent on alleviating the hardship of the people in view of the escalating price of essential items.

“Why a year long celebration? What is there so much to celebrate about when the people are suffering?”, he asked.

Baharuddin said PKR would go on the ground to explain to the people the impact of the drastic oil hike.

Well received

On the latest in Sarawak PKR, he said that the party is slowly but surely spreading its wings to rural bumiputera areas.

"We have 25 divisions now, mainly in the rural areas," he said.

Baharuddin said they will open new divisions in Mukah, Igan, Tanjung Manis, Selangau and Marudi very soon.

"We are getting very good response from young Melanau professionals who are anxious to join PKR," he added.

Meanwhile, another Sarawak PKR deputy chief Nicholas Bawin concurred with Baharuddin's remarks stating that the party has received tremendous response from the Dayak communities in recent months.

"People are beginning to recognise PKR brand of politic, multi-racial politics that does not promote any single race only," he said.