AMONG the eight Bidayuh-majority seats, three are considered safe for Barisan Nasional (BN) but the remaining five look rather dicey at the initial stage of the State election scheduled for May 7.
The three seats likely to see comfortable BN victories in straight fights are Tebedu, Tarat and Tasik Biru.
In Tebedu and Tarat, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and its Supreme Council member Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn are not expected to face much resistance in retaining their respective seats. Both are facing PKR neophytes – Manyin against unknown Alex Saben in Tebedu while Sagah against relatively low-key Musa Ngog in Tarat.
As the most senior Bidayuh leader, Manyin has proven over the past four elections to be a very consistent contender for BN-PBB. Making his election debut in 1996, the school principal turned politician has shown he is serious about bringing change to his community, especially in terms of basic necessities such as roads, electricity and treated water.
His emphasis on education has given the Bidayuhs one of the highest number of graduates among the various communities in the state. He has also been successful in transforming the semi-rural community into what it is today.
In Tasik Biru, newcomer Dato Henry Jinep of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) should be able to go through against Morni Bimol of Democratic Action Party (DAP). His only worries are disgruntled voters and fence sitters. But with former Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie throwing his weight behind him, Henry is expected sail through smoothly.
At a cursory glance, two of the five remaining seats — Bukit Semuja and Serembu —look ‘dangerous’ for the ruling coalition.
In Bukit Semuja, direct BN candidate John Ilus is facing a tough opponent in former PBB strongman Datuk Frederick Bayoi Manggie who is standing as an Independent, while in Serembu, another direct BN candidate Miro Simuh is having a fight on his hands against a former deputy police commissioner Datuk Peter Nyomek Nyeap.
Bayoi said he went into this election to prove he was still capable of springing a surprise with his strong grassroots support.
“Initially I had no intention of challenging BN as I was already a PBB veteran and have been with the party for the past 33 years. But circumstances forced me to join in the fray. Now I rate my chances at 50-50,” said the former five-term Tarat and Kedup assemblyman.
Besides Bayoi, John is facing three other opponents– Serian DAP chief Edward Luak, seasoned campaigner Cobbold John from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru and Johnny Bob from State Reform Party (STAR).
Bukit Semuja is definitely a hot seat to watch out for.
In Serembu, Miro’s opponent Nyomek is no stranger to politics. He was first identified as a direct BN candidate for the then Mambong parliamentary seat in the 1999 general election but preferred to stick with his career at the time.
According to his supporters, Nyomek, in his mid-60’s, is well-liked by the grassroots.
In fact, at one time, his name was among the top contenders for Serembu. Inside sources said he was disappointed with certain leaders who told him he was ‘too old’ to contest, prompting him to throw the hat in to the ring for this round.
Besides Nyomek, Miro is also taking up the cudgel against PKR’s Arthina Klaywa Sim and STAR’s Buln Patrick Ribos. Indeed, Serembu looks set for a sapping four-cornered showdown.
Keen tussles are also expected in the other three remaining seats — Opar, Mambong and Kedup.
In Opar, direct BN candidate Ranum Mina is facing former SUPP-nominated candidate Niponi Undek who could play spoiler.
Ranum, a former UPP leader, has to contend with two other opponents — former Mas Gading MP Patrick Anek Uren contesting on a PBDS Baru ticket and Francis Teron Noyet from PKR.
In Mambong, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil is involved in a three-cornered fight. The Assistant Public Health Minister will lock horns with DAP’s Sanjan Daik and Willie Mongin from PKR.
While Sanjan may be political greenhorn, Willie, on the other hand, is quite a seasoned campaigner, having been nominated to stand for his party in a few past elections.He lost to Dr Jerip in the last State election,polling 4,447 votes against the latter’s 8,093.
As for Kedup, BN’s Martin Ben will face his fellow villager Andrew Nyabe from DAP.
Nyabe is a seasoned campaigner, having been in politics since the time of Martin’s late father, Datuk Michael Ben Panggi. However, Mark Murau Sumon from STAR, considered a political minnow, is not expected to pose a serious threat.
Based on past records, at least over the past two decades, all the Bidayuh seats have been BN strongholds. And with Chief Minister’s Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem’s high rating, the eight Bidayuh seats should go to the BN in the upcoming polls but the ruling coalition is not taking the undercurrents in five of them lightly and its political strategists are now busy planning their next moves to outflank the opposition in these potentially hot seats.