By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 13: Ngemah incumbent Anyi Jana has signalled his readiness to defend the seat in the coming Sarawak Election, amid speculation that he could be replaced as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)/Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) candidate.
Responding to a viral video involving PRS figures and claims that PRS Supreme Council member Alexander Donald was allegedly agreed upon as his replacement, Anyi said no decision on a change of candidate had been made at this stage.
“I have never denied the possibility that a representative may be replaced in the future. In politics, this is part of the process and a party decision.
“However, for me, the matter of changing candidates is not something that has been decided at this point, and I do not want to make any conclusion based solely on statements or videos circulating on social media,” he said in a statement posted on the Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat ADUN N.49 Ngemah’s Facebook page on Aug 11.
Anyi said he had only recently been entrusted with serving as the representative for Ngemah constituency for one term and had since worked to bring development, resolve issues affecting the people and champion the interests of the constituency.
Based on his work record and KPIs achieved, he believed he had given his best commitment to the people of Ngemah.
However, he acknowledged that much remained to be done, with development plans and other agendas he wanted to continue pursuing in the next term.
“There are still many things I want to fight for and bring to Ngemah in the next term,” he said.
Anyi said Ngemah still needed a representative who was consistently present among the people, listened to their concerns, understood the needs of communities across the constituency and continued to bring development to the area.
He said he may raise the matter at the PRS Ngemah meeting for formal discussion and, if necessary, bring it to the party’s top leadership.
Anyi also disclosed that at the previous PRS Ngemah meeting, the branch committee had expressed its position and agreement to defend him as the GPS/PRS candidate for Ngemah in the coming State election.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the decision on candidates was not one to be made by any individual alone.
“It is a process and decision of the party leadership, and also involves consideration by the GPS leadership and the Sarawak Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg),” he said.
Anyi said he respected the party’s process and would accept whatever decision was made through its official channels.
“At the same time, I want to stress that I am ready to face the coming Sarawak Election. My focus at this point is to continue working, continue the development agenda for Ngemah and provide the best service to the people,” he said.
His remarks come after a video lasting more than four minutes went viral recently, showing local councillor Juin Adan delivering a speech at a local gathering.
In his speech, Juin claimed that PRS president Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai had agreed to have Alexander Donald fielded as the party’s candidate for Ngemah in the next State Election.
The video, which was uploaded on Nyabur Sebayan’s Facebook page on Aug 10, has since fuelled speculation over whether incumbent Anyi Jana will be retained as the GPS/PRS candidate for the seat.
Shortly after, PRS Supreme Council member Susan Clement Ingun clarified that no names of candidates for any of the constituencies belonging to PRS had been officially submitted, endorsed or finalised by the party leadership for the coming Sarawak Election.
“At this stage, the most accurate position is simple: There is no officially confirmed PRS candidate for any PRS-held constituency as of today.
“Therefore, let us respect our president and the authorised party leadership to make the decision at the appropriate time,” she wrote in a statement.
Earlier today, Alexander Donald also issued a public statement, saying speculation over Anyi’s candidacy should not be treated as fact unless confirmed through official party channels.
He said claims made outside official channels remained hearsay and urged all parties to respect PRS president Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai and the party leadership’s process in announcing candidates.
Alexander also called for political discussions to be conducted responsibly and for speculation to be distinguished from official information.
— DayakDaily
