BINTULU, Nov 2: The Opposition has no political leverage, resorting to recycled allegations concerning Native Customary Land (NCR) in an attempt to gain votes in the Jepak by-election, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) election director emphasised that these attemtps aimed to mislead voters and tarnish the image of the GPS-led Sarawak government in this by-election.
“Such accusations are common, as if we are not working.
“In the end, the losers are those who are consumed by such slander. If this happens, the problems faced by them (residents) will not be solved any time, so who loses in the end?” he questioned.
Awang Tengah highlighted this in a news report by TVS after attending the campaign of GPS candidate, Iskandar Turkee at Rumah Panjang Raphael in Samarakkan, Jepak here today.
Urging voters in Jepak not to succumb to provocation, Awang Tengah spoke of the ongoing initiatives within the Sarawak government’s development plan.
He revealed a forthcoming water supply project for the longhouse and assuring the implementation of clean water facilities that would not only benefit Rumah Raphael Ngau but also cover the entire Samarakan area.
“This is already in our plans and it includes building a high-level tank. I believe this area will enjoy clean water supply,” he said.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) permanent chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus were also present.
The Jepak by-election, scheduled for Nov 4, will witness a three-cornered contest between GPS-PBB’s Iskandar Turkee, Sarawak People Aspiration’s Party (Aspirasi) represented by Chieng Lea Phing, and PBK’s Stevenson Joseph Sumbang.
The Jepak seat became vacant following the passing of its six-term incumbent, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who had held the seat since 1996 and passed away on Sept 15, 2023, at the age of 72 due to health complications. — DayakDaily
