By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 12: Incumbent MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong is confident that he will be able to defend Hulu Rajang, which is the biggest constituency in Malaysia in terms of area size.
He said this following the recent announcement by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang who had indicated that all PRS incumbents will be retained.
There are currently two incumbent MPs in PRS, namely Ugak and Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
“I am confident of defending the seat because I am doing my job. I have a good working relationship with the three State assemblyman of Belaga Datuk Liwan Lagang, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and also Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai Masing.
“And I have done all my jobs to my most level best in serving the people of Hulu Rajang. I believe the people will support me because when I go to the ground, they express their support.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, I reached out to all my constituents wherever and however far they are to deliver food to them. This was done through a mobilisation programme and we reached out to all residents of Baleh, Sungai Asap, Tubal and all settlements in my area.
“Even today, I am doing the same thing for the people of Sungai Tiau,” Ugak told DayakDaily when contacted.
Ugak defended Hulu Rajang for PRS in 2018 General Election with 11,834 votes in a straight fight against Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) candidate Abun Sui Anyit who polled 5,519 votes.
He said following two consecutive days of heavy rain, the road to Sungai Tiau has been cut off. This has led to about 300 residents in the two longhouses of Nanga Tiau and two more at Ulu Tiau being stranded.
With the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Ugak made the trip to the two locations, bringing with him food aid and other necessities.
As the road was cut off, he had to travel there using a Bomba helicopter which took off Miri. As there are other places in Miri which need the service of the helicopter, he had to cut short his trip today but vowed to resume tomorrow.
On whether there will be very strong adversary whom he will be facing in the upcoming election, Ugak said he has yet to hear of any strong challengers throwing in their hats.
“But I expect some contention from somewhere and I am ready to face anyone. I don’t expect myself to win uncontested. I cannot make everyone happy.
“I have been serving my area according to a scheduled programme in view of the hugh size of my area. As long as I do my job well, and people recognise that, it is good enough for me,” said Ugak.
Hulu Rajang is the biggest constituency in Malaysia, with the area size of 34,000 square kilometre, almost the size of Pahang. The parliamentary seat is made up by three State constituencies of Baleh, Murum and Belaga.
Apart from the huge size of the area, the rough terrain, the raging rivers and the long distance between settlements are some of the challenges faced by the elected representative. — DayakDaily
