BINTULU, July 3: Murum Assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon believes that it will be a replay of a four-cornered fight in the coming State election.
In the last state election held in 2016, the four-cornered fight was between Chukpai, Abun Sui Anyit (PKR), Mathew Silek (DAP) and Stanley Ajang Batok (Independent) where Chukpai prevailed with a majority of 2,200 votes.
“We can expect a four-cornered fight like the last State election but this time it will be between GPS/PRS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak/Parti Rakyat Sarawak, PSB (Parti Sarawak Bersatu), PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and DAP (Democratic Action Party),” Chukpai told Drift Team here today.
On his chances of defending the seat, the first term assemblyman described Murum as a ‘white’ area as he has been working hard since winning the seat.
“We are confident to retain the seat for GPS. I know my area very well and my record book is to help people. The Rakyat hold my record book. They will ‘mark’ me and decide whether they still want me,” he said.
On the overall development in Murum, Chukpai said he was disappointed with the Pakatan Harapan government which had cancelled RM1 billion worth of projects for his constituency.
“It was a challenging time after the change of government as a lot of projects were KIVed or cancelled.”
In June 8, 2018, he met with PRS president who is also Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing and brought up the issues in Murum such as schools, roads in Metalun and Tegulang Resettlement Schemes and Jelalong, water supplies, telecommunication towers and electricity totalling about RM1 billion that have been KIVed which were supposed to be approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
He was then advised by Masing to bring the matter to Chief Minister DatukPatinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg which he did.
“Abang Johari read what I wrote to him and he requested to come to Sungai Asap to take a look at the real situation.
Last July, Abang Johari visited Sg Asap and brought the good news to the area whereby he announced development projects for the people in Murum.
“In total, there are half a billion ringgit worth of development projects for Murum under different agencies.
“We need to have a strong and stable government in order to develop the rural area,” added Chukpai. —DayakDaily.
