Abit accepts the inevitable

by Peter Sibon, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on August 5, 2012, Sunday

ONLY ONE LIST: Masing (seated second left) gestures during the press conference while others look on.

Hulu Rajang MP bows to party’s decision to drop him in favour of Wilson Ugak

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo has finally accepted that he would not be re-nominated for the upcoming general election.

PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said he had informed the supreme council that the candidates’ list for his party contained all five incumbent MPs except for Hulu Rajang.

“He is still the YB of Hulu Rajang until parliament is dissolved. During our meeting just now I informed the supreme council that I have sent our final list of candidates to the prime minister.

“Thus, he (Abit) understood that he would not be re-nominated,” Masing told a press conference after PRS’ supreme council meeting at its headquarters here yesterday. Abit was also present at the meeting.

Masing said party discipline was adhered to and the candidates’ list should be respected as it was made by the party’s election committee headed by the president, secretary-general and both youth and women chiefs.

“I stressed to supreme council members that they have to adhere to the party’s decision,” Masing said.

Before the meeting, Billy was certain he had a chance to be re-nominated as he believed he still had support from the ground.

Masing had on July 4 dropped a bombshell on Abit’s fate at a leader-meet-the people session at Rh Wong, Teluk Baung, Baleh, Kapit by revealing that he (Abit) would be replaced by his private secretary Wilson Ugak Kumbong.

A party insider said Abit knew his name was not on the party’s candidate list and had accepted that he would be dropped.

“Though he knew, he was quiet and did not react,” said the insider.

Masing, who is also a Senior Minister and Land Development Minister, was optimistic the candidate list would be accepted by the prime minister as the party was united with no internal conflict.

“I am confident our list will be accepted (by the BN top leadership). But for a party like PRS which has no dispute, normally people (BN top leadership) will agree to the list. Who knows better than us about our party matters?” he asked.

The five MPs that PRS would retain are Masir Kujat (Sri Aman), William Nyalau Badak (Lubok Antu), Datuk Joseph Salang (Julau), Datuk Aaron Dagang (Kanowit) and Datuk Joseph Entulu (Selangau).

“I don’t think there is any bullying element in the BN, but if there is, I do not like it and the same goes to our supreme council members. Don’t try it,” Masing warned.

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