Power Struggle Taints Brunei’s Political Party
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Parti Kesedaran Rakyat Brunei (PAKAR), one of two political parties in Brunei, will be holding a series of emergency meetings on March 15 and March 17 to thresh out what seems to be a power struggle within the party.

The two warring factions inside the party are organizing the urgent meetings.

Apparently, the two factions are trying to outdo each other by holding their own meetings.

An officer at the Registrar of Societies (ROS) told the Bulletin yesterday that both factions have notified ROS on the meetings and it is aware of the two events. "The two factions have notified us to organise meetings. We are watching them carefully," said the officer.

When asked for comments how both factions can settle their differences, the officer said ROS has in fact advised them to hold a unified single meeting.

"1f they fail to settle their differences at the suggested meeting, they can go to the courts for a legitimate solution. Failure to settle the differences may force ROS with no other alternative but to dissolve the party," said the officer.

Last Friday, one faction of PAKAR informed the Borneo Bulletin that it would be holding an emergency meeting at Riverview Hotel, Gadong, on March 15 at 2pm.

The next day, another faction told the Bulletin that PAKAR will be holding a congress to elect executive committee members at Royal Brunei Golf Club, Berakas, on March 17 at 2pm.

Both factions admitted that the party is experiencing a critical internal feud and admit the cooperation of all members to exercise unity to save the party is needed.

The faction loyal to the secretary-general said they have expelled two members of the party who are actually the leaders of the other faction. ROS acknowledged that it has received the notification terminating both members.

The leaders, the president and deputy secretary general, were appointed to the post at a congress held on Oct 10 when the party was still united.

However, ROS wrote to PAKAR a letter on Dec 7 stating that the requirements of an organisation to continue to exist has not been fulfilled.

ROS said PAKAR failed to submit list of names of male and female movement councils and district and branches working committees.

"The minutes of annual general meetings for 2001, 2002 and 2003 were never submitted to ROS," said ROS.

ROS also questioned the validity of the Oct 10 congress because it was not conducted properly as representatives of sections and branches were not listed as attending the event.

"We are aware of the internal feud that is currently besieging the party. If they fail to settle their differences by themselves or courts, we have no alternative but to dissolve PAKAR.

"Therefore it is vital for all of them to settle the feud if they want to see the party to carry on existing as a legal organisation," said the officer at ROS. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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