KUCHING, Nov 7 — PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali says he has no knowledge about Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail visiting the Julau PKR division during her one-day working visit to Sarawak yesterday.

The economic affairs minister said he had just returned from Tokyo this morning and come directly to Kuching to pay a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office at the State Legislative Assembly complex here.

He was asked to comment on media reports that the outgoing PKR president (Dr Wan Azizah) should not have visited PKR’s Julau division which is said is now saddled with problems like misconduct and money politics.

Azmin said PKR held to the principle that its leaders should not abuse their powers, especially in party campaigning.

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“The same must be translated into action and I do not know the purpose of her visit to Julau. I have to get more information on this,” he told reporters after his meeting with the Sarawak chief minister.

PKR Central Committee member Latheefa Koya had questioned the wisdom of Dr Wan Azizah taking a picture with Julau MP Larry Sng, who is alleged to have disregarded party rules in registering members for the PKR division.

According to Latheefa, this should not have happened because Sng, who is going for the division chief post in Julau PKR, is in the camp of Rafizi Ramli, who is challenging Azmin for the number two post in PKR’s polls which are ongoing.

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Later, at a dinner with PKR members from the 29 divisions in Sarawak, Azmin said that with the state PKR polls slated for this weekend, they should be careful “not to be bought over by towkays but stay true to the party’s reform agenda”.

“We reject cronyism, nepotism and corruption and if this spirit can be upheld by the members and leaders of Sarawak PKR, I believe this weekend we will create another round of history in that Sarawakians cannot be bought over by towkays,” he said.

He also praised the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for stepping in to investigate complaints on money politics in PKR’s polls.

Also present was Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian, who is also Works Minister, and several candidates from Pasukan Muafakat Keadilan, the camp led by Azmin. — Bernama