KUCHING: Rumours are rife that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) may field its state chief Baru Bian in the Miri parliamentary seat.
This follows growing calls for the party to replace incumbent Dr Michael Teo, who is said to be unpopular on the ground.
It is said that Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, would give the party a better chance against Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate Datuk Sebastian Ting – who is Piasau assemblyman and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary general.
When contacted, a state PKR insider confirmed there is a movement calling for Baru to be the candidate.
“Personally, I think it is too late already. However, in politics, anything can happen. Just look at Santubong – they said he (Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar) would be dropped, but they retained him,” reasoned the insider.
The source insisted that Dr Teo is a very good man, but claimed he was badly affected by the murder of his trusted aide.
“The incumbent has had a tough time offering services to the people after Bill Kayong’s sudden passing. It really affected him,” the source added.
To add insult to injury, it is known that a Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader has been openly attacking Dr Teo and lobbying hard for the seat.
“I hope (state Democratic Action Party chairman) Chong (Chieng Jen) will take action against him. Pakatan Harapan has agreed that Miri is for PKR to contest. You leave to us whom we want to field in Miri,” stressed the source.
Apart from Baru, there have also been calls for PKR to field Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How in the seat.
However, the idea seems too farfetched as the distance between Batu Lintang and Miri would make it very difficult for the state PKR vice-chairman to serve both constituencies effectively.