MIRI – Sarawak Caretaker Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has refuted claims that he “ran away” from his urban Satok seat in Kuching, instead he said he “migrated” to rural Gedong to bring development to the people there.
Johari, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, set tongues wagging as he only announced his move two days before nomination day on Monday.
“There are claims going around that I am afraid I will lose in Satok during the state polls. The critics who accused me of running away to Gedong are making me a target as polling day nears.
“I shifted to Gedong as incumbent Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais asked me to take over his seat so I can bring development to Gedong and the rest of rural Sarawak,” he said last night during the Jiwa Bakti-Utusan Sarawak online talk show.
Johari was an eight-term assemblyman in Satok. GPS candidate Datuk Ibrahim Baki will be running in his place. Ibrahim is an entrepreneur and a PBB member.
Johari added that it is not unusual to contest in other seats as this could help hasten economic development.
He faces three others in Gedong – Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Mohd Sofian Sarbini, Amanah’s Kamal Bujang and Parti Bumi Kenyalang candidate Tomson Ango.
Sarawak heads to the polls on December 18, with nomination day on December 6 and early voting on December 14. – The Vibes, December 10, 2021
