By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 7: There are no more seats to spare for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the 12th Sarawak Election, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president said this when responding to a reporter’s query whether GPS will give way to Datuk Ali Biju of Bersatu who is the incumbent of the Krian seat.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition which comprises of four component parties namely PBB, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), had more or less discussed among themselves on the seats allocation.
“GPS has already announced that it will be contesting in all 82 seats. So I don’t think there are anymore seats to spare for our friend from Semenanjung who is friendly with us. They have to respect us.
“Of course in Malaya, we are supporting them. But in Sarawak, I don’t think it is necessary for them to find an opportunity to contest in the State polls at the moment,” he said after officiating at the flagging off ceremony of Sarawak Adventure Challenge 5.0 at Pasar Siniawan in Bau today.
Abdul Karim also described Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin’s decision to support GPS candidates fielding in his parliamentary constituency as a good gesture and suggests that other non-GPS MPs or incumbents do the same.
At the same time, the Asajaya incumbent remained tight-lipped on the Baleh candidacy which was left vacant after the passing of the late Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
“At the moment, our (GPS) focus is more towards winning the election and I think we will win handsomely this time. We do hope that the people of Sarawak will give us the mandate,” he added.
He also said the thrust of GPS has always been ‘Sarawak First’ and being a Sarawakian, he believes that it is only right that the people be patriotic to the State.
“If there is any problem with the State government or State leaders, you tell them what they need to change and improve on.” — DayakDaily
