After Anwar’s scolding, Baru explains absence from PKR congress
Vinodh Pillai
-November 18, 2018 9:04 PM
PETALING JAYA: Baru Bian, the outgoing Sarawak PKR chief who was singled out by Anwar Ibrahim today for missing the party’s congress in Shah Alam, said he had already informed the PKR secretariat of his absence due to work commitments.
But the works minister said he was not sure if the information had been relayed to Anwar.
“Yesterday I was in Ipoh to close the works ministry’s sports championship. It should have been reported all over the media.
“Today, I was in Kuantan on an official visit to the East Coast Expressway Phase 1,” he told FMT when contacted.
Baru’s name was mentioned by Anwar at the PKR Congress today. The PKR president said the party had only allowed two other Cabinet members from the party to miss the event.
“I don’t care about your position. You’re required to attend meetings and the party congress unless you are given an exemption like Saifuddin (Abdullah) and Xavier (Jayakumar),” Anwar said.
Saifuddin, the foreign minister, is currently accompanying the prime minister in Papua New Guinea for the Apec summit, while Xavier, who is the water, land and resources minister, is attending a conference in Egypt.
“Baru had no explanation, and that is why I reprimanded him in my speech,” Anwar told reporters later.
Baru said he had also been invited as a guest of honour tonight at a programme with journalists in Pahang.
He refused to elaborate when asked why he did not decline invitations to these events as the dates of the PKR congress had been announced for some time.
“I’m just telling you why (I did not show up). The secretariat was already informed.
“My political secretary confirmed this again just now with me.”
Meanwhile, Baru said he would leave it to the party on his future as the Sarawak PKR chairman.
The post has yet to be filled.
Baru said he did not contest for PKR’s Central Leadership Council because he wanted to give way to others.
