KUCHING, April 27: Responding to the people’s request to contest in the Iban-majority Selangau seat, state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian hopes that the voters will rise above racial or communal politics this 14th general election (GE14).
Baru, a Lun Bawang from Ba’ kelalan, hoped that the voters would vote differently with the new social economic issues and a new political consciousness.
“I hope we will move beyond racial and communal politics and look at credible, professional and courageous candidates that will speak for the rakyat. Not mute YBs that toe the party line,” said the Pakatan Harapan candidate for Selangau.
Baru was responding to the statement by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri James Masing, who questioned how could Baru who lost among his fellow Orang Ulu in Limbang in the last general election expect himself to win in the Iban-majority seat of Selangau.
“Whether I will be accepted or not in Selangau is for the voters to decide, not James Masing,” said the prominent land rights lawyers who has assisted many native landowners from Selangau with court cases over native customary rights (NCR) land.
He believed the voters would prove Masing wrong as the voters are different now compared to the last general election.
“I stood in Limbang in GE13 not among ‘my people’ (Lun Bawangs) but a mixed area of Malays, Kedayans, Ibans, Chinese and only a few hundred Lun Bawangs. That’s the past,” said the Ba’ kelalan state assemblyman.
Nevertheless, Baru thanked Masing for his openness in welcoming him to contest in Selangau. — DayakDaily
