KUCHING: Several grassroots leaders here have expressed their hope that Barisan Nasional (BN) would continue to select its candidate for the Batu Kawah state constituency from SUPP.
Stanley Repon, who heads the PBB sub-branch of Kampung Desa Wira, said the turnout during the presentation of 1Malaysia water tanks here recently indicated that there was solidarity among BN components.
The function was attended by BN Stampin Parliamentary Constituency Liaison Committee chairman Tan Joo Phoi and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang – both from SUPP – as well as branch representatives from PBB and SUPP.
“Although simple, it (the function) was meaningful. The attendees represented the strength of togetherness and solidarity of BN component parties in Batu Kawah. The two biggest parties in Batu Kawah are SUPP and PBB,” said Stanley, who is also Kampung Desa Wira village development and security committee (JKKK) chairman.
Another grassroots leader Hamidion Bustamam of PBB Batu Kawah praised SUPP leaders for being sensitive to the needs of the people. He reminded PBB and SUPP to work together to ensure victory in the next state election, which must be held by June next year.
According to him, Batu Kawah constituents have been suffering since the constituency fell to the opposition in 2011.
Hamidion pledged his support for a SUPP candidate to contest in Batu Kawah under BN ticket in the next election.
“It (decision) is up to the top leadership. For the grassroots, we are firmly behind SUPP because in nine out of 10 state elections since 1970, SUPP has delivered Batu Kawah for Barisan Nasional.”
The Friday ceremony saw 59 families receive 1Malaysia water tanks presented by Tan and Lo.
Tan said: “The 59 households represent selected home owners who have been successful in their applications for the facility regardless of their racial background.
“In fact, the recipients are mainly non-Bumiputeras. We should all acknowledge this,” he said.
For the record, former assistant minister Tan lost his Batu Kawah seat to political greenhorn Christina Chiew of DAP by a 543-vote margin in the 2001 state election.
The predominantly-Chinese constituency has a sizeable number of Bumiputera voters in the suburbs of the state capital.