SIBU: The coming state election is set to be an interesting affair following the emergence of new political parties but BN will still prevail, PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.
He believed that an amicable solution could be found to resolve the current political development without exerting a strain on the coalition.
“People can see that only BN has the capability and experience to govern and administer the state. The opposition is merely ‘empty drums’ that make a lot of noise, but doesn’t have the experience to govern a big state like Sarawak.
“But being a democratic country, they do have a role to play as a responsible opposition.
“The presence of new political parties and especially those from SPDP and SUPP that has set up new parties but still declare they are supporting BN and even sitting in the state cabinet, will make the forthcoming election interesting,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman said.
In the latest development, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would lead the newly registered UPP (United People’s Party) and joining him were Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili) and Ranum Mina (Opar).
Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, meanwhile, will continue to helm Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).
Abdul Karim added: “The PM, CM and state BN components will have to find a solution on how to resolve this tricky issue without causing a strain on the coalition.
“I am sure there is a solution, subject always to all parties being level headed and not arrogant in their approach.”
The new political development in Sarawak unfolded in May where 10 state BN assemblymen and Baram MP Anyi Ngau, led by beleaguered party leaders Mawan and Wong, quit Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) to join newly-formed Teras.
Joining former SPDP president Mawan and former SUPP Sibu branch chief Wong then were state assemblymen Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik Biru), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) from SPDP and Dr Jerip, Dr Johnical and Ranum Mina from SUPP.
A surprise inclusion was opposition Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) former deputy president George Lagong who is Pelagus assemblyman but was later off loaded.
Anyi later made a U-turn, pledging loyalty to SPDP.