Rumours to stir emotions and confuse people — PBB man

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Sardon Zainal

MIRI: Rumours that nine MPs from PBB would be dropped in the 13th general election are weaved to stir emotions and confuse members of PBB and the people, opined PBB Piasau branch chairman Sardon Zainal.

“What are reported online cannot be taken as true. They could be created by those with malicious intent to weaken the unity of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as PBB is a BN component party,” said Sardon.

Recently, online news portal Malaysia Today (MT) said the nine MPs would be dropped from the party’s line-up in the next general election. It named them as Datuk Rohani Karim (Batang Lupar), Datuk Wahab Dollah (Igan), Dato Sri Mohd Leo Michael Toyad (Mukah), Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong), Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib (Kota Samarahan), Ahmad Lai Bujang (Sibuti), Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong), Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas (Betong) and Nancy Shukri (Batang Sadong).

In expressing his disappointment at the report, Sardon said the perpetrators could be taking advantage of the crisis in Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) that resulted in the parties splitting into factions.

“They saw and studied what was going on in both parties and BN in general. They spread the rumour to cause anger among members, supporters and top leaders of both PBB and BN. If the people take it as true … I believe it can cripple Barisan Nasional (BN).”

He said only statements issued by leaders of PBB and BN should be believed.

“How can we take it as true as the portal did not mention who issued or released the statement? It could be from anybody, but definitely not from the party or BN. It is just to confuse the people as the general election will be held anytime soon,” Sardon told reporters from See Hua Group here yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of PBB Piasau branch, Sardon said they supported and agreed that Ahmad Lai should be retained to defend Sibuti in the coming election as the people were happy with his performance.

Sardon said Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also PBB president, had given the assurance that Ahmad Lai would be retained to defend the seat.

“He (Ahmad Lai) is a performing wakil rakyat (people’s representative). There is no doubt of this as it can be seen by the people. It is rubbish to say that he is not performing and doesn’t go down to the ground. It would be a foolish move for the party and BN to drop him from the list.”

Meanwhile, he hoped that the crisis in both SPDP and SUPP would be resolved before the election.