By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, 1 Dec: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has always supported and cared for the Orang Ulu community in the State and this is reflected in their representatives elected to the Sarawak Cabinet.
In stating this last night during the launching of the PBB Telang Usan and Mulu election machinery in Miri, PBB permanent chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said it has always been PBB’s policy to provide a platform for minority groups in Sarawak such as the Orang Ulu to have their voices heard and represented in the DUN.
“PBB has been supporting the community (Orang Ulu) in fact, since the late 1970’s when we had an Orang Ulu representative in DUN (Sarawak Legislative Assembly) for Lawas, Datuk Racha Umung….his appointment (as ADUN) has paved the way for generations after him….more areas especially in the Northern Region and some parts of the Central Region such as Belaga are represented by Orang Ulu.
“For example, in Mulu we have Dato Gerawat Gala, Dennis Ngau (Telang Usan), Datuk Liwan Lagang (Belaga), Kennedy Chukpai Ugon (Murum), Lawas Member of Parliament Datuk Henry Sum Agong and Paulus Palu Ngumbang (Batu Danau),” Mohamad Asfia pointed out.
Some of them, he added, have been appointed as ministers in the Malaysian and Sarawak Cabinets.
He asserted opposition parties do not have this kind of structure and instead they are always quarreling among themselves.
“They are not compatible with one another….it’s just like Andrewson Ngalai’s song titled ‘Ukai Nasib Panjai Begulai’…because they inharmonious,” he opined.
Citing both Dennis and Gerawat as hardworking representatives of the people, Mohamad Asfia called on the Orang Ulu in these constituencies to rally their support behind them in the coming 12th Sarawak Election on December 18.
“Their track record is proven, numerous megaprojects funded by the State government were carried out and more are in progress…this is the reality…the facts…. when we promised (to bring development), we delivered,” he said.
He also reminded constituents in Mulu and Telang Usan to help both Dennis and Gerawat to win handsomely in the State election.
“Dennis and Gerawat have brought multibillion ringgit worth of government projects into these areas (Telang Usan and Mulu)… help them to win with a big majority so that they will have a more powerful ‘voice’ in the DUN when requesting for projects,” he urged those present.
In the 11th Sarawak Election in 2016, Dennis under Barisan Nasional (BN)-PBB won Telang Usan with a margin of only 167 votes.
He secured 3,231 votes, defeating Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Roland Engan who garnered 3,064 votes.
Meanwhile, Gerawat as a BN direct candidate won in Mulu which was a new seat. He secured 3,198 votes ahead of PKR’s Pauls Baya (1,490), Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s Paul Anyi Raja (309) and independent candidate Dr Roland Dom Mattu (239).
Also present during the launching of PBB’s Telang Usan and Mulu election machinery last night were political secretary to the Chief Minister Charles Balan Seling, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Youth chief Robert Ayu, Gerawat, Dennis and PBB Youth members from Mulu and Telang Usan. — DayakDaily
