MIRI – Sarawak PKR has alleged that community leaders in rural parts of the state have received “instructions” to bar entry to politicians who are not aligned with the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
State PKR vice-chairman Roland Engan today said his party workers reported that certain Baram community leaders were told to set up barriers to keep out non-GPS personnel.
“These longhouse chiefs are being ordered to do by the state authorities. Some of them in Baram have already set up barriers along the roads leading into their settlements.
“This is unjust. They (the government) are abusing their authority. Community leaders must be neutral and not play politics for GPS.
“Even though longhouse chiefs are appointed by the state government, they cannot use their positions for political purposes,” he told reporters here in Miri today.
Engan, who is a lawyer and Baram PKR chief, said the party wants to see fair play in the state polls, not oppression.
“Every candidate must be given enough opportunities to be seen and heard by voters before polling day.”
Baram district has three state seats – Telang Usan, Mulu and Marudi.
Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to launch the party’s state election machinery tomorrow, said Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui.
“Tomorrow, the party president will be in Kuching in the morning to launch the election machinery and come to Miri in the afternoon.
“He will then have to fly back to KL, in time for the Melaka election results tomorrow night.
“We will discuss with him about the candidates soon.”
The state polls must be held within 60 days from the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on November 3. – The Vibes, November 19, 2021
