(From left) Mawan, Kilat, Banyie and others raise their hands in a gesture of their solidarity in facing the 11th state election.
SARATOK: Former president of Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) Tan Sri William Mawan has called on Teras members to help the BN candidate Kilat Beriak of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) wrest the seat from the opposition.
Mawan called on members of both parties to put aside their differences and rally behind Kilat during a leader-with-the-people gathering at Rumah Bama, Nanga Risau, Awik, near here on Monday night .
The Krian incumbent is Ali Biju of PKR who created a major upset by defeating the BN candidate Datuk Peter Nyarok of SPDP in the last election.
Mawan who is the MP for Saratok was the president of SPDP and later of Teras advised everyone in the BN fold to put aside their differences and focus on their main agenda, which is to win back Krian seat in this 11th state election.
Mawan, who was required to resign from Teras as a condition for his re-nomination to defend Pakan seat for BN advised Teras members not to be too emotional although the candidate recommended by their party was not endorsed by the BN’s top leadership.
“At this point in time, we have to put aside our differences and emotions for the sake of a BN victory. Work hard to win the hearts of the electorate and give your vote to the BN candidate,” he reiterated.
We have to consider a victory of the BN’s candidate as our victory for the people of Krian, he said.
On the same note, Teras Krian chairman Banyie Beriak, on behalf of all branch members, pledged their full support for Kilat.
Banyie, who was Teras’s nominee to contest the seat on a BN ticket, admitted that emotions ran high among after the party learnt that the top BN leadership preferred a candidate from SPDP, but he was relieved that things have calmed down well before the May 7 polling day.
Banyie believed the support of over 5,000 Teras members, including 50 community leaders, could contribute immensely in ensuring BN’s victory in Krian.
In appreciation of the open support declared by Teras Krian branch, Kilat pledged to serve the constituency to his level best if elected.
Among others, he would strive to iron out problems pertaining to native customary rights (NCR) land, which he understood was very close to hearts of the natives although he did not deny that the government had already addressed major issues through the implementation of perimeter survey.
He expressed hope that qualified people in Krian would pool their resources to improve the socio-economic well-being of the constituency.