Dr Jerip (fourth left) receiving the survey finding from Penghulu Richard Deho while others look on.
KUCHING: Partyless Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has indicated his willingness to join any Barisan Nasional component party that is strong
and stable, despite recently applying to join state Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Speaking at his election thanksgiving dinner here last Saturday, Dr Jerip said his main objective was to see BN still strong and to ensure smooth implementation of development programmes and service delivery to the people in Mambong.
“I have been given the mandate to serve the people in Mambong. For me, it does not matter which BN component I go to, what is more important is that stability remains in Mambong. Having served this constituency for many years, I have encountered many experiences including those related to party politicking and I feel it is now time for us to move forward.
“It is important that Mambong is allocated to and represented by a party that is strong and stable in future elections,” he said.
Dr Jerip, who is also Assistant Minister for Public Health, was fielded as a direct BN candidate in the state election held on May 7 and he successfully won with a majority of 3,333 votes in a three-cornered fight which also featured Sanjan Daik from DAP and Willie Mongin from PKR.
The win means Dr Jerip is now representing Mambong (formerly known as Bengoh) for the fourth consecutive term. He contested as direct BN candidate after he resigned from BN-friendly United People’s Party (UPP) prior to the election, which he joined after exiting Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
Dr Jerip and eight other partyless BN elected representatives Tan Sri William Mawan (Pakan), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), John Ilus (Bukit Semuka), Ranum Mina (Opar), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili), Datuk Gerawat Gala (Mulu) and Miro Simuh (Serembu), were reported to have applied to join PBB not long after the election but they were told to return to the constituents for a decision.
The dinner also saw the presentation of a so-called survey finding signed by community leaders in Mambong who agreed that Dr Jerip should be accepted by PBB.
Dr Jerip said he accepted the result of the survey, which was done in line with the call made by chief minister and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for the nine elected representatives who applied to join PBB to consult their constituents and report back to PBB by end of this month.
“I want to get feedback from those in the constituency, some may agree, some may not agree, but that’s democracy and we
listen to the voice of the majority,” he said.
Meanwhile, PBB Mambong branch acting chief Sora Rusah, who was BN director of operations in Mambong in the last state election, said he was willing to let Dr Jerip take over as the branch chairman should the latter’s membership application was accepted by PBB top leadership.
He said BN’s triumph in Mambong could not have been achieved if the BN components, BN-friendly parties UPP and Teras, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) did not work together to ensure Dr Jerip’s victory.
He also said PBB Mambong had written to PBB secretary general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi expressing hope for the party to accept Dr Jerip’s membership, and for Mambong to be allocated to PBB in the 2021 state election.
“I hope other BN components support this move,” he said, when he spoke about the possible benefits to the state BN and PBB if the nine partyless assembly persons were absorbed by PBB.