KUCHING: State Reform Party (STAR) Mas Gading candidate Patrick Anek Uren will not retract his statement regarding allegations of corruption against the incumbent Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.
He said the report lodged with Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) was made by certain quarters who had knowledge of the matter.
“Those allegations are based on facts which have caused losses to certain individuals.
“I have nothing to withdraw. I still call upon the relevant authorities to do a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of those allegations as soon as possible. I will follow it up after the GE13 (13th general election) is over,” he said on Thursday.
Anek, Mas Gading MP from 1974 to 1986, is one of the four contestants for the seat. The others are Dr Tiki who is defending the seat as independent, Barisan Nasional newcomer Anthony Nogeh Gumbek from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and rookie Mordi Bimol from Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Anek had on April 27 come out with a statement urging MACC to speed up investigations lodged several years ago against Dr Tiki who was then a deputy minister.
A news report yesterday quoted Mas Gading voter Edwin Limban as expressing his concern over the remark by Anek. Edwin had said if the allegation was true, it was important for Dr Tiki to respond to Anek’s statement since the matter was of major importance to voters there.
Saying the allegation was no small matter, he told Dr Tiki to clear his name before polling day.
“Likewise, Patrick Anek should follow up with the relevant authorities to pursue the alleged investigations against Datuk Tiki if he has any information pertaining to the case. Or else, Anek should retract the statement, apologise to Datuk Tiki, and not leave any confusion and doubt among Mas Gading voters,” he was also quoted as saying. #myvote13 #ge13