BINTULU – Several leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties appear to have begun taunting potential challengers for the Jepak state constituency in the by-election to be held at Bintulu district of northern Sarawak.
These leaders have openly suggested that GPS, which is presently ruling the state, should be allowed to win the seat uncontested because the coalition is too powerful for their opponents.
Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, deputy president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), which is a component of GPS, today questioned whether those who intended to challenge GPS have any chance to win at all.
His comments in Bintulu town seemed to be aimed at Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), as these two smaller opposition parties have said they will field their candidates to highlight the people’s voice and for the sake of preserving democracy.
Awang Tengah today retorted: “If they have no chance to win, why bother to contest?”
“They have the right to contest. Yes, that is their democratic right. But is there any chance for them to win Jepak?
“They should face reality, and if they have no chance to win, why bother to contest?” he said when checking on PBB’s election operations for the by-election.
Tengah said GPS will win big in Jepak and that the minnows should just give the by-election a miss.
Another GPS component party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), also seemed to have derided Aspirasi and PBK for running there.
PRS deputy information chief Andy Lawrence said the opponents should face reality.
“The GPS candidate in Jepak should be allowed to win uncontested to save time, energy, money and resources.
“They have no chance to win. So if they let GPS win uncontested, that will foster stability, unity and continuity,” he said in a statement.
Battle of local personalities
On October 18, GPS had chosen Iskandar Turkee, 54, the National Anti Dadah Agency chairman for Sarawak, as the candidate for the by-election.
Iskandar is a local from Jepak and is from the Vaie ethnic group. He is also a party member of PBB.
The day before, Aspirasi announced its candidate and pledged to highlight the woes of the people caused by surging costs of living during the campaign.
Aspirasi president Lina Soo announced that well-known local businessman Chieng Lea Phing, 64, will be the party’s candidate.
Chieng is a local born in Bintulu district and a resident of Jepak constituency.
He is well known in Bintulu, with businesses in the jewellery and hospitality industries.
Chieng said the main issues he will raise are related mostly to the high cost of living.
“I pledge to open up mini-marts and groceries stores in Jepak if elected to sell food and essential household items at the lowest price possible,” he said.
“People are suffering due to the high prices of food and essential goods. Families are struggling just to put three meals on the table every day.”
He also vouched to use all his state assemblyman’s salary for the people if elected.
Aspirasi will also highlight current issues with regards to the rights of Sarawak, he said.
Attempt to ‘kill democracy’
PBK president Voon Li Shan has named businessman Stevenson Subang as the PBK Jepak candidate.
Voon accused GPS of killing democracy by trying to force a no-contest win in Jepak.
He said that technically Sarawak has no opposition voice as DAP, PKR, PSB (Parti Sarawak Bersatu) are not contesting against GPS in Jepak.
“We the other opposition parties must uphold democracy and be the voice for the rakyat,” he said.
“We will take on GPS in Jepak.”
Nomination day for Jepak by-election takes place tomorrow, with polling to be held on November 4.
The by-election is being held following the demise of assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who was from PBB, on September 15.
Aspirasi and PBK are functioning as independent opposition parties in Sarawak. They were each formed less than ten years ago.
Soo and Voon are also vocal social activists, often highlighting many local issues affecting Sarawakians. – The Vibes, October 20, 2023
