Dr Rundi: Opposition’s ‘aggressiveness’ won’t overwhelm BN

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SIBU: PKR will face the full might of the BN in the Balingian by-election, said state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi.

Promising an all-out fight to keep their stronghold, he added they would fight the opposition as a ‘BN team’.

“We have anticipated their style of campaigning and shall not be overwhelmed by their aggressiveness,” said Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications).

He was reacting to PKR Lanang branch chief George Chen’s statement claiming of brighter chance of wresting the seat from BN.

Chen had on Saturday revised their chances of winning Balingian from 30/70 to 50/50 due to “positive vibes on the ground”.

Dr Rundi said PKR were entitled to their opinion and BN would not be affected by it.

“Whatever it is, we will not be morally affected as we know our strength and, to some extent, theirs as well. We will go and fight them to our utmost strength as a BN team.”

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it was good to have “beautiful dreams”.

“But when you wake up and face reality, only then you realise it’s just a dream, and the good feeling is just temporary.”

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, said the election result would show.

“I need not comment as the voters in Balingian will determine who they feel is appropriate to be their representative.

“I am sure their choice is as good as mine … BN.”

The by-election is called after its assemblyman Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud vacated the seat to make way for his appointment as Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

In the 10th state election, Taib garnered 6,210 votes in the three-cornered fight. Datuk Salleh Jafaruddin, who stood on an Independent candidate, polled 1,056 while PKR candidate Suriati Abdullah only managed to get 871 votes.