PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): PKR is sprucing up its election machinery to face the 12th Sarawak state elections which is expected to be held at the end of next year or early 2021.
Its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian would head the election machinery in the state assisted by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution and three vice-presidents Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Tian Chua and Ali Biju.
"They will embark on their tasks as soon as possible by drawing up strategies, holding consultations with component parties and preparing the election machinery to face the state polls," he told a media conference after chairing a PKR central leadership council meeting here Sunday (May 26).
At the 11th state elections, Barisan Nasional won 72 of the 82 seats contested, DAP won seven and PKR won three (Batu Lintang, Krian and Ba'kelalan).
He said the meeting also discussed the position of Sungai Siput MP, S. Kesavan, over his sexual harassment case.
Anwar said PKR viewed the allegations seriously and urged the police to continue their investigations into the case.
"We will wait for the outcome of the investigations and subsequently act if necessary," he said.
On the protest over PKR Youth's breaking-of-fast event in Ampang on Saturday (May 25), which was feted with songs and fireworks, Anwar apologised, adding that he had advised the PKR wing.
"I have sternly warned them to respect the month of Ramadan and abstain from carrying out events which deviated from Islam," he said.
Anwar also said that PKR protested against the United States’ provocative action against Iran.
He urged international bodies especially the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency session to ease the tension which could lead to war.
"PKR urges Malaysia to state its firm stand by rejecting provocation and threats of war to all Islamic nations under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which will hold its summit in Mecca on May 31," he said.
It was reported that the United States would be sending 1,500 more soldiers to the Middle East as a "protective measure" following escalating tension with Iran. - Bernama