COMMENT | I consider Baru Bian a dear friend, although we haven't been in touch for a while.

He used to call me “brother” at a time when “bro” wasn't a faddish greeting yet. I suppose that was a brotherly greeting among Christians, as we both are.

Baru is now the incumbent Sarawak PKR chairperson and works minister. I have not met him since his appointment nor congratulated him, so I will do so here.

To my brother Baru, my sincere felicitations on your appointment to the new cabinet. You have struggled long and hard in politics for the betterment of Sarawakians, and you thoroughly deserve the appointment.

Of late, I have been very disturbed, agitated even, with developments in Sarawak PKR. This started with the PKR election. I knew then that the elections would be messy and dirty and it would tear the party asunder. I was not way off, as events have proven today.

Critics had attempted to stop me from poking my nose into PKR affairs as I am not a party member, with one telling me that “it’s none of your business.”

But let me say this to all lawmakers. As long as you are an elected representative, a public servant being paid with taxpayers’ funds, it is my business to keep an eye on you; to see that you carry out your duties responsibly and with dedication.

If you do not, that it is my duty to tell you to buck up. Don’t ever forget that a 'Yang Berhormat' is a servant of the people...