By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 4: Datuk Ali Biju who is the current Saratok MP can expected to face a challenge from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) if he chooses to stay with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to defend his seat as opposed to Datuk Willie Mongin who might still stand a chance to defend Puncak Borneo in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hinted this as he is confident that GPS could win in Saratok with the right candidate.
“Saratok (parliamentary) seat comprises three State constituencies (of) Krian, Kalaka and Kabong which are all under GPS.
“Bersatu should not have interfered into (the politics of) Sarawak.They should know that right from the start when we formed GPS, the whole idea is (to put) Sarawak first and we will still go for that,” he said, reaffirming that GPS will not give way to Bersatu in GE15.
Abdul Karim asserted this at a press conference before the flagging-off of the DayakDaily D’Drift 2022 convoy at TT3 here today.
On whether there had been an arrangement between GPS and Bersatu given that Ali had pulled out from contesting the Krian seat during the last 12th State Election to give way to Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Friday Belik, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said he was unaware of any such arrangement.
“Not that I know there is an arrangement. If he (Ali) were to contest at that time, he was not sure also. If there was any arrangement, probably it is within the Bersatu top leadership.
“If Ali wants to be with a West Malaysia (based) party, we leave it to him,” he added.
As for Willie who had applied to join PBB, Abdul Karim said his application will definitely be considered.
“Since all three seats under the Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency are held by PBB, it is easier for us to decide. Why must you crack your head (to get another candidate)? But that’s my personal observation, of course we must listen to the ground. They are the final master to determine who should be the representative,” he explained.
Abdul Karim also pointed out that with the right candidates and more importantly, good election machinery in place, and if there is not too much politicking on the ground, GPS will not only be able to wrest back the seats held by the opposition, but deliver all 31 parliamentary seats.
“Winning or losing an election, as I have been in politics for quite a while, it all boils down to how good your machinery is. If you have good machinery, you will deliver,” he added.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau who is also the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Head of Section, Visitors and Products Management, Ecotourism and Business Development Arianti Atong were among those present. — DayakDaily
