By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 9: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomes Datuk Ali Biju’s withdrawal from contesting in the Krian seat.
He believed the latter made the decision after looking at the matter from a bigger perspective taking into account the relationship between Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak(GPS).
“We know that Ali is a Bersatu man and Bersatu chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the party will give their support to GPS for this forthcoming election.
“Therefore, we were quite surprised when Ali has decided to contest in Krian seat. In other words, he ignored the party’s directive,” he said in a 3-minute video uploaded on TikTok today.
Abdul Karim who is the Asajaya incumbent said that although Ali has submitted his candidacy form as an independent candidate, it must be remembered that the latter also holds a post in the federal Cabinet.
“This will then arouse question of integrity from the general public and those who are involved in politics,” he added.
Earlier, Ali who is Krian incumbent decided to pull out from contesting and defending his seat as an independent candidate in the 12th Sarawak Election.
He explained that the decision was made after receiving advice from his party’s top leadership as well as assurance from Muhyiddin regarding the national cooperation political framework between PN and GPS.
Previously, Ali chose to submit his candidacy form as an independent candidate on nomination day on Dec 6, after Bersatu has announced that the party will stay out of the Sarawak Election out of respect for its ally GPS.
His decision to contest drew backlash from GPS leaders, with GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last night even expressing disappointment towards the former for violating the agreement between PN-Bersatu and GPS last night. — DayakDaily
