PBB Bukit Semuja pro tem branch and sub-branch members with banners to express their support for John to join PBB.
KUCHING: Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, who won the seat as a direct Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, is still keen to join Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) despite being courted by other BN component parties.
During a thanksgiving dinner in Kampung Riih Daso, near Serian on Friday, John received strong support from the PBB Bukit Semuja pro tem branch and other PBB sub-units in the new constituency.
“At this moment, I am still keen to join PBB. I hope the party’s top leadership will consider my application and also the request made by the PBB members in Bukit Semuja,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“I hope this will break the silence.”
Among those present at the event were Datuk Peter Minos – who was in charge of PBB publicity during the state election, PBB Tebedu deputy chief John David Nyauh – a political secretary to the Chief Minister, Major (R) Peter Runin – political secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Serian Resident Dahim Nadot.
PBB Bukit Semuja pro tem branch representative Francis Linjas led the show of support for John to join PBB, by holding banners with other members on the main stage to express their stand.
When contacted, Minos said he was impressed with the overwhelming support for PBB to be John’s platform.
John, one of the 13 direct BN candidates fielded, won by a majority of 3,144 votes when he received 5,451 votes to defeat his closest challenger Edward Luak from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), who polled 2,307 votes.
Based on previous news reports, BN direct candidates were told they were free to join any BN component after winning their seats.
John and other partyless BN elected representatives Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (Pakan), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong), Ranum Mina (Opar), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), Datuk Gerawat Gala (Mulu) and Miro Simuh (Serembu) applied to join PBB after the election but were told to return to their constituents for a decision.
On June 12, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) publicly invited John to join the party if his application to join PBB is not accepted.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), through its Serian branch, also recently opened its doors to John, pointing out that the party is his closest and strongest ally in Bukit Semuja.
Bukit Semuja is the newest seat for Serian Division and comprises five polling districts formerly under Kedup — Triboh, Selabi, Serian Bazaar, Kakai and Serian Hulu as well as Sedihan, which was formerly under the Tebedu seat.
Bidayuhs comprise 48 per cent of the Bukit Semuja electorate.
The Serian parliamentary seat is held by SUPP, while Tebedu and Kedup are represented by PBB.
John (seated centre) and Minos (seated fifth left) are seen during a photo call with PBB members.