By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 18: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) newcomer Friday Belik managed to secure a slim majority win in the N39 Krian seat with a 932-vote lead.
The constituency saw a close fight between Friday who obtained 3,885 votes against Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Musa Dinggat who garnered 2,953 votes and two-term incumbent Datuk Ali Biju who still managed to take 1,777 votes even though he pulled out from contention at the 11th hour.
Another contender from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) Danny Kuan lost his deposit after only managing to get 282 votes.
On nomination day, Ali submitted his papers to defend Krian as an independent candidate despite Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) top leadership deciding to stay out of the State polls following an agreement with GPS.
Ali had explained that it was upon hearing the adamant and strong requests from grassroots and supporters that he decided to defend the seat.
However, three days after his candidacy had been accepted, he announced his withdrawal from the State election and throw his support for GPS’ Friday.
Throughout the remaining days of the campaigning period, Ali together with his team vowed to visit villages and longhouses to explain and urge voters and his supporters to give their votes to Friday. — DayakDaily
