Christopher Gira
KUCHING: Based on current sentiment, 50 per cent of voters in Tamin prefer a new face to be fielded in Selangau to replace incumbent MP Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, disclosed Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira. He said those wanting Entulu to be replaced are voters aged 45 years and below.
“As far as Tamin voters are concerned, it’s 50-50; either for or against Datuk Joseph Entulu’s re-nomination for Selangau in the upcoming 14th general election. Most of the young voters prefer a new face while the older ones still prefer Datuk (Joseph) Entulu to be re-nominated,” said Christopher here yesterday.
However, he pointed out that as his party’s deputy president, he would support Entulu if Entulu is re-nominated.
“Since we are both from the same party, we work professionally to serve our constituents. But as far as I’m concerned, I still haven’t given the necessary feedback to the party leadership yet as I have not been instructed to do so.
“Anyhow, I believe that whoever BN picks for the Selangau seat, the candidate should be able to deliver the seat for the ruling coalition,” said Christopher.
However, the other half of Selangau parliamentary constituency is under Kakus state constituency. And at press time, Kakus assemblyman Datuk John Sikie Tayai could not be reached for comment.
Christopher was commenting on the latest information that candidates for two of PRS’ parliamentary seats had not been decided by the party’s top leadership. Besides Selangau, PRS had also not decided on its candidate for Lubok Antu where Datuk William Nyallau is the incumbent.
While it is understood that Nyallau is strongly supported by Engkilili assemblyman Johnical Rayong, Batang Ai assemblyman Malcom Mussem Lamoh could not be reached for his comment as at press time.
The feedback from these four assemblymen is crucial for the political survival of both Entulu and Nyallau as the party wants them to give the necessary recommendation and endorsement for their re-nomination.
Recently, PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing had revealed the party would retain four of its incumbents in the coming 14th general election. Masing was quoted as saying that the party had received endorsements for incumbents in Sri Aman, Julau, Kanowit and Hulu Rajang.
Despite this, he confirmed that his party had already submitted its list of candidates for its six parliamentary seats to Chief Minister and state BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for further endorsement before the list is submitted to the Prime Minister.
Apart from Nyallau and Entulu, other MPs from PRS are Datuk Masir Kujat (Sri Aman), Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (Julau), Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (Kanowit) and Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Hulu Rajang).