By Shikin Louis
BINTULU, Oct 20: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has chided Opposition parties for fielding candidates despite having little chance to win in the Jepak by-election.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has chosen a very strong candidate for the Jepak seat and he believed that the party will emerge victorious with a large majority.
“However, there are still people who wish to contest (against us).
“They do have the right to contest as we are practicing a democracy, but they should face reality if they have no chance to win.
“Even if they win, what are the agendas that they will put forth?” he said when met by the press at a function in Bintulu today.
Awang Tengah who is also Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, and Minister for International Trade and Investment, further said that the GPS government wishes to strengthen the State’s stability so that they could focus on making Sarawak a developed State with high income economy.
He also said the Bintulu region is a hub for investment and development apart from consisting a lot of sectors specially manufacturing and oil and gas (O&G).
“In politics, we (GPS) want to increase the sovereignty, investments, employment opportunities and have our children to be equipped with skills so that they can obtain high salary.
“Therefore, why would you want to contest? Is there any chance to win? It is clear that GPS is a strong government and our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) has a lot of policies so we should work together instead,” he added.
The Election Commission has fixed Oct 21 (tomorrow) as the Nomination Day, with polling day set for Nov 4.
GPS has named Iskandar Turkee as its candidate on Oct 18.
So far, two other Sarawak-based political parties have confirmed their participation in the by-election with Bintulu businessman Chieng Lea Phing representing Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) and businessman Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Sibu representing Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK). — DayakDaily
