SERIAN – Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin has advised three other Bersatu members to emulate Datuk Ali Biju’s move and state their withdrawal from the 12th Sarawak Election.
The deputy plantation industries and commodities minister instead urged the Belaga, Bawang Assan and Muara Tuang independents to throw their support behind their respective Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidates.
Willie, from Bersatu, said party members should abide by the pact between Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The understanding between Muhyiddin and Abang Johari, who is also the chief minister of Sarawak, is that Bersatu will not contest in the Sarawak polls.
“We, at the party level, have listened to the instructions of the party president that all members should help and support the GPS candidates,” he said after officiating the #KeluargaMalaysia Agricomoditi Tour programme in Kg Pichin, today.
Willie said this when asked to comment on Sarawak Bersatu vice-chairman’s decision to withdraw from contesting the Krian seat as an independent candidate. Ali also pledged his full support for GPS candidate, Friday Belik.
He added that Bersatu members should work together so that there is continuity that will lead to political stability, not only at the state level but also at the federal level.
“In terms of democracy, their right to contest cannot be denied because they can resign and run as independent candidates. That's their right, but we need to look at it in terms of a bigger picture of the political scenario in the future,” he stressed.
It is understood that the three Bersatu members who are contesting as independent candidates in the Sarawak polls on December 18 are Siki Balarik for the Belaga seat, Ricky Enteri (Bawang Assan) and Ismawi Muhammad (Muara Tuang). – Bernama, December 10, 2021
