By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, August 4: Baleh Assemblyman Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing reiterates today that anyone who is eligible may contest for the Baleh seat in the upcoming Sarawak Election.
He said he never has the intention to stop anyone to contest especially Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB)’s candidate Koh Kumbong.
“Baleh is an Iban country. Every Iban is free to follow his dream to be a YB. It’s not in my position, nor I’m willing to stop anyone from pursuing that dream,” Masing told DayakDaily today.
He believed that it was wrong for Koh to jump to conclusion that he objected to Koh’s candidacy and said that Koh’s candidacy was “unacceptable”.
“Koh is putting words in my mouth. I have never said that his candidacy is ‘unacceptable’. All may refer back to my statement when I commented on the issue,” said Masing who is also Deputy Chief Minister.
Masing said apart from Koh, there will also be challenges from candidates from other parties.
“I don’t expect only Koh to challenge me, except that he has made his intention clear. There will be more coming up later who will also lay claim on Baleh.
“As this stage, anyone can make any claim. Everyone who is contesting is confident that they will be winners, or why should they join the fray?
“However, winning does not depend on how loud a candidate shouts or how big a candidate claims. It depends on solid support on the ground,” said Masing.
Recently, Masing who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)’s president and Deputy Chief Minister had told DayakDaily that Koh has never worked with him except his brother, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
“He was a government officer posted all over Sarawak till he retires just recently. But his brother Datuk Ugak has been with me for years.
“If koh jadi contesting (in Baleh in coming State election) it will just kacau Datuk Ugak’s support in Hulu Rajang. I can’t stop him from spoiling Ugak’s standing. It’s a free country. Koh can contest whenever or wherever he wants,’ Masing was quoted saying.— DayakDaily
