PKR Julau branch membership controversy deepens

KUCHING: The controversy surrounding the surge in membership of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Julau branch from 603 to more than 13,000 in one day in June deepens with a claim surfacing that five names in the division membership status are those who had passed away.

On top of that, three complainants – a pensioner and two businessmen – who are Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) members residing in Julau parliamentary constituency, lodged a police report on Monday evening at Sibu Jaya police station that they are not PKR members but their names and identity card numbers appeared in the PKR Julau online membership status.

According to Teras Julau (Meluan and Pakan Divisions) spokesman Tony Ambrose Gramong his three party comrades lodged the complaint to also expressed their unhappiness with such activity as nobody wants his or her personal particulars be made used of without consent.

The five deceased persons certainly could not consent to it but nevertheless it was still not right to simply used their particulars, said Tony.

“I am not going to disclose the name of the five deceased persons in question because I have to respect the feeling of their family members and the sensitivities around it. But one can always refer to me or others who know about it,” said Tony

“Not all Teras Julau (Meluan and Pakan divisions) members want to be PKR members. Those who wanted to be PKR members do not mind their names suddenly appearing on the Julau PKR membership status. They just kept quiet for reasons only known to themselves. Some may not even know their names are being used as they do not have internet access in the remote areas or even if they have, they may not be bothered to check online, ” Tony said.

Tony then urged PKR to put their house in order as their image and reputation is now under public scrutiny.

Tony said abusing people’s name and identity card numbers online without his or her consent also breaches the Data Protection law.

Few weeks ago, another Teras member Kaya Uset denied in the media that he and his family members are PKR Julau branch members.

Prior to that, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat who is Progressive Democratic Party member made similar complain in the media.

Last week, PKR Sarawak leaders even lodged a complaint at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) state office here over the dubious manner that the PKR Julau branch in getting the more than 13,000 members from 603 in one single day in June.

Efforts to get comment or clarification from Julau MP Larry Sng – one of 88 PKR national supreme council candidates – is futile as of today.- The Borneo Post