KAPIT: The expected four cornered fight in Hulu Rajang did not materialise as Dr Ellie Luhat who announced he would stand on the State Reform Party (Star) ticket did not turn up at the nomination centre here yesterday.
Elli’s withdrawal left Patri Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Balleh deputy chairman Wilson Ugak Kumbong, 51, representing Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) candidate Abun Sui 39, an Orang Ulu lawyer from Long Dungan, Belaga and deputy president of Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong, 52 in the race.
Ugak accompanied by a large crowd of supporters including Senior Minister and PRS president Tan Sri Dr George Jemut Masing and his wife Puan Sri Corrine Masing, Hulu Rajang incumbent Datuk Billy Abit Joo and other PRS leaders, started their procession with a ‘miring ceremony’ before proceeding to the nomination centre at the Civic centre here.
The procession shouting ‘Hidup Barisan Nasional’ took about half an hour to reach the nomination centre.
Not to be outdone PKR supporters were heard shouting back with slogans of their own but SWP supporters were mostly quiet as they were outnumbered by both BN and PKR supporters.
When interviewed later, Abun said his main manifesto was to highlight the problems regarding the NCR land in Hulu Rajang as well as to fight for better infrastructure and other facilities.
“Our party is fighting for better alternative including better form of education and health systems which are still very lagging here especially in Hulu Rajang,” said Abun.
Meanwhile, Ugak gave his assurance that BN would continue to seek funding to transform the vast constituency and bring development to the people.
He also assured the people of Balleh and Belaga that he would not discriminate against anyone who openly reject him.
“But it would be easier for me to work with you if you fully support me and rally behind me during this election,” said.
Masing also advised the people to continue rallying behind BN so that they would benefit from the transformation programmes which had been implemented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“But development takes time as our state is very large. But rest assure that it will come and we all will benefit,” he said.