SIBU: All areas of extra concern have been identified and remedial actions taken accordingly to further strengthen the party, said PBB secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.
As such, it did not matter where PKR would contest in the state, he told The Borneo Post yesterday when asked to comment on the media report that PKR would contest in two PBB areas, namely Limbang and Batang Lupar.
“We have been preparing our machinery to face them (PKR) since last state election and it does not matter where they stand,” said Dr Rundi, who is state BN secretary-general and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).
In a press statement, state PKR chairman Baru Bian reportedly said they would contest in Saratok, Baram, Hulu Rajang besides Limbang and Batang Lupar, adding that the official announcement was made by their de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Baru was further quoted as saying he would lead the charge in Limbang while Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh would stand in Batang Lupar.
PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, meanwhile, stated that it was PKR democratic right to contest in any parliamentary seat in Sarawak, including Limbang and Batang Lupar.
He added: “This reflected our Electoral System is working and whatever negative remark about how Election Commission conducts our election as alleged by certain opposition leaders and NGOs were just a fallacy.
“Not being arrogant, BN and PBB welcome PKR to contest in any seats, including Limbang and Batang Lupar. We know our strength and we believe the people also knew which party they could rely on.”
Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said he had heard of Baru ‘running away’ from the parliamentary seat of Lawas where his state seat Ba Kelalan is sited to contest in Limbang.
“I find that strange but what I heard is that many ‘unfulfilled promises’ since the last state election in Ba Kelalan are among the main reason for running away.
“I hope voters in Limbang will not be new victims of more promises from him,” he said.
On Batang Lupar, he expressed confidence that incumbent MP Datuk Rohani Karim, who had brought much development to that constituency, would win handsomely in that seat should she be re-nominated.
“If there are dissenting voices, they have come from ‘interested parties’ from within BN who are keen to replace her but the people know better who the better person is. “The dissenting voices, however, are small in number and will not add to the opposition votes as once BN confirmed the candidates list, all internal dissenters within BN will close rank. “That has been BN and PBB culture. So, to PKR, don’t put too much hope,” he said.