Search

PKR Lubok Antu Branch chief resigns

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Nicholas Bawin Anggat

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Lubok Antu Branch chief Nicholas Bawin Anggat has resigned from all party posts and as party member effective immediately.

A statement from PKR Lubok Antu permanent chairman Enggang Sandam yesterday said Bawin’s resignation was confirmed by the committee members of PKR Lubok Antu.

Sandam said that Bawin had resigned from the posts of PKR Lubok Antu divisional chairman (since 2009), member of Majlis Pimpinan Negeri (MPN) Sarawak (since 2009), and vice chairman of MPN Sarawak (since 2018).

He said that Bawin resigned purely on two principles, the first being that promises of autonomy within the party along the lines of Malaysia Agreement 63 was uninitiated and unfulfilled.

“Secondly, it was in support of leaders and members, who have been recently terminated without just cause and excuse,” he said.

He said that Bawin’s resignation was no small measure and had far-reaching implications among the grassroots in Lubok Antu and the Iban in general.

“PKR Lubok Antu branch will convene an emergency meeting to discuss our next course of action,” he said.

Sandam said that Bawin’s resignation was not an easy announcement for the committee to make as he was the founding member of the Lubok Antu branch, and he had been the backbone and guiding light of the branch since its inception.

“Bawin’s contribution to the Iban cannot be lightly stated. He served as deputy president of Majlis Adat Istiadat for 13 years.

“Nicholas has wide working knowledge of Native Customary Laws in Sarawak including Adat Iban, Adat Bidayuh, Adet Kayan-Kenyah, Adet Kelabit, Adet Lun Bawang, Adat Bisaya, Adet Kajang, and Adat Melanau Liko,” he said.

He said that Bawin had testified as an expert witness in numerous landmark cases over the years. His evidence in all these cases were found to be credible and accepted by the Court.

Bawin, he said, had helped established the matrix which had led to the recognition of native customary rights (NCR) throughout Sarawak.

Sandam said that Bawin’s experience in state administration and Sarawak native affairs was well recognised and had been invaluable to their branch and party.

These roles included deputy chairman of Lubok Antu District Council (1988-1992), member of board of directors of Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco) (1987-1997), and president of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) (August 2004-November 2007).