KUCHING, Oct 22: Calling Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) a ‘mosquito’ or ‘ant’ party and urging PBK to withdraw from contesting because it is a waste of money and time is a display of arrogance, asserts Voon Lee Shan.
The PBK president claimed that the words were said by some leaders of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) during the nomination for the Jepak by-election at the Bintulu Civic Centre.
“It is sad that our party was insulted that way by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, too. He should sympathise with small political parties like us and fight in the elections on an even field.
“Their display of manpower and financial resources in mobilising their party members and supporters of a few thousand people to the nomination centre was awesome.
“We only had a handful of people around to cheer our candidate, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, at the nomination centre yesterday (Oct 21),” Voon said in a statement today.
He asserted that the Premier’s open insult affects the dignity of Sarawakians because it should not come from a leader in his position.
“Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Fadillah Yusof calling small parties to withdraw from the elections is a display of arrogance.
“Likewise, it is also a display of arrogance by Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan when questioning small political parties like PBK contesting in the Jepak by-election.”
Voon continued, “The insult is not only against the party but is also against our party leaders, members, and citizens of Sarawak.
“It pricked our dignity and the dignity of common citizens of Sarawak, who seek better democracy, justice, and independence from the federation of Malaysia.”
The PBK president also urged party members, supporters, and fellow Sarawakians to remain calm.
He went on to say that PBK is a legitimate political party with the legal right to fight elections, win seats, form the government, and bring Sarawak out from the colonisation of Malaya.
“We know, being a small and new party, it takes time to grow and win seats. I hope voters in Jepak understand our position, and I plead with them (voters) not to let us lose badly in the by-election.”
In a news report by Bernama published yesterday (Oct 21), Abang Johari was reported saying that he appreciated Pakatan Harapan (PH) for not contesting in the Jepak by-election and that only ‘ant’ (‘semut’) parties did. — DayakDaily
