MIRI: PKR being wiped out in the recent Melaka polls should not be used as a “benchmark” for the party in the Sarawak state election, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       Admitting the party’s weaknesses in Melaka, the PKR president described the two elections as “different.”

       “Did Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) contest in Melaka? That is an important thing to note. I do accept that we had weaknesses in Melaka that need to be improved.

       “We will try our best to explain to the people of Sarawak,” Anwar said while campaigning in Bekenu yesterday.

       Parti Pesaka Bersatu Bumiputera (PBB) deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan had recently hit out at PKR, saying the party had no credibility to govern Sarawak due to its dismal performance in Melaka.

       He also said Sarawakians were likely to reject PKR.

       PKR fielded 11 candidates in Melaka but all were defeated.

       It is contesting 27 seats in Sarawak.

       On another matter, Anwar said feedback from supporters in Sarawak was positive despite the limitations imposed on campaigning.

       “The response has been good so far but we are not able to campaign openly. This has prevented us from getting close to voters situated in remote areas,” he said.

       Anwar has been in Sarawak since the weekend to support the party’s candidates.