By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 14: Opar will likely see at least a four-cornered fight in the upcoming 12th State election based on the latest information from the ground, said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Opar chairman Cr Niponi Undek.
Niponi, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) likely candidate for Opar said, besides the incumbent, Datuk Ranum Mina of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Freedy Misid of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), a housewife is now actively moving on the ground to vie to contest under Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) banner.
“The way it looks now, it would at least be a four-cornered fight in Opar. But I believed GPS will prevail and able to retain the seat in the coming State election,” Niponi told DayakDaily here today.
In the last State election, Ranum stood as Barisan Nasional (BN) direct candidate as PSB, which was then called United People’s Party (UPP) was not a BN component party.
Niponi said GPS, which is made up of four former BN component parties has the advantage as it has the resources and the means to serve the people better.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic which began early this year, the GPS government has assisted those who have been adversely affected. And since our current YB is in PSB, he couldn’t do much for the people as he is in the opposition,” he said.
Under the GPS State government, each of its elected representative receives RM5 million for the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) fund; RM2 million for the Minor Rural Project (MPR) fund and another RM1 mil for baik pulih rumah (house renovation scheme).
In the last State election held in 2016, Ranum won with a majority of 2,082 in a four-cornered fight. — DayakDaily
