By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Sept 26: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak will not field a candidate in the upcoming Jepak by-election to maintain the stability of the unity government.
PKR Sarawak deputy chairman Senator Abun Sui Anyit said a consensus was reached last night (Sept 25) following a State Leadership Council meeting via Zoom.
“We were in consensus to maintain stability of the government, including Sarawak (government) and (all will) maintain status quo.
“Our decision is not to put our candidate even though we have candidates, just to maintain the stability of the government,” Abun Sui told DayakDaily when contacted.
He added that this was to return the goodwill shown by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for supporting PKR candidates during the six state elections on Aug 12 involving Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
“There will be no contest (from PKR), that we will maintain the stability of the government since the Premier also supported the candidates for state elections on the peninsula.
“So we should do the same for him this time since we have the unity government,” said Abun Sui who sits as a member of PKR’s National Leadership Council.
He said PKR Sarawak did identify several suitable candidates to contest in Jepak but since the State Leadership Council had made the decision of not contesting, there was no necessity to reveal the names of these individuals.
On the question of if these individuals were to join the fray as independents, he said the party has no control over independent candidates but PKR is very certain that there will be no candidate from the party.
The Jepak seat is vacant following the passing of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip at Normah Medical Specialist Centre on Sept 15.
The polling date for the Jepak by-election has been set for Nov 4, with nomination day on Oct 21. — DayakDaily
