KUCHING, Oct 1: Koh Kumbong, the elder brother of Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, is keen to venture into politics and contest in the next state polls, which is due in 2021.
The 59-year-old said the key reasons why he wanted to be a politician were to champion native customary rights (NCR) land issues as well as for Sarawak’s right as enshrined under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“I’m keen to contest in the upcoming state election. But as of now, I’m not sure which party I should join, most probably a Sarawak-based party,” Koh told DayakDaily here today.
Koh said he was no stranger in Kapit, particularly in Baleh state constituency, as he was born and raised in the Gaat area, which is one of the longhouses in Baleh.
“I have a large number of relatives in Kapit. On top of that, I have served as Kapit Division’s information officer on two occasions. During my service, I have travelled extensively throughout Kapit Division before I opted for premature retirement recently,” he disclosed.
When asked to comment on his name being listed as one of the registrars for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Sarawak, Koh replied that the list was “fake” as he had nothing to do with Puncak Borneo.
“How can I be of any service to the people of Puncak Borneo when I am from Kapit? So, I hope my friends will now know that the list is fake,” he said.
When asked whether Ugak had said anything upon knowing his intention to join a political party, Koh laugh and said, “Malaysia is a democratic country and there is freedom of choice.”
Heading the purported list of Bersatu registrars is former Mas Gading MP cum former Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.
Meanwhile, a source who requested anonymity, claimed that Bersatu Sarawak was now divided into three factions.
“After joining them for just over a few weeks, I decided to leave. There is too much politicking and disunity in it before it is even registered,” claimed the source. — DayakDaily
