Bekir for Sadong Jaya?

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KUCHING: People in Sadong Jaya want Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s eldest son Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir to represent Barisan Nasional (BN) in the constituency during the next state election.

WE WANT BEKIR: Ain (second left) handing over the proposal and resolution to Awang Bujang while the rest of the BN supporters hold aloft placards suggesting that Bekir be the man for Sadong Jaya.

In a show of moral support, 113 residents from 13 villagers gathered at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters in Jalan Bako here yesterday.

Led by Kampung Semera Hilir headman Ain Mahli, they handed over a resolution and proposal to PBB executive secretary Awang Bujang Awang Antek.

Most of the entourage carried placards containing praises to the effect that Bekir should be the man in Sadong Jaya, replacing incumbent Datuk Wan Wahab Wan Sanusi.

According to Ain, the resolution is a manifestation of the people’s support and appeal that they want a ‘true leader’ whom they believe could bring in the much needed change to Sadong Jaya.

“We know and we want Sadong Jaya N20 candidate who can bring about changes, development and progress to the constituency,” he said through a press statement delivered to reporters yesterday. Ain, also a director of Kampung Samarahan Social Division, insisted that the proposal is not something that people should view lightly because the constituents there were indeed desperate to see drastic improvement in their socio-economic status.

Ain also said the resolution would be extended to Taib, who is state BN chairman, for his consideration when finalising PBB candidacy.

“We want the chief minister to field only capable PBB candidates. Mahmud Abu Bekir can bring the much needed development to Sadong Jaya,” he said.

Mahmud Abu Bekir is also a corporate figure, being the deputy chairman of Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) Group.

His younger brother Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib is Kota Samarahan MP and a former deputy minister of tourism.

Taib’s two other children are Jamilah Hamidah (the eldest) and Hanifah Hajar (the youngest).

Five-term incumbent Wan Abdul Wahab at the State Legislative Assembly sitting in November last year declared that he would not seek re-nomination in the coming state election.

In May 2006 state election, Wan Abdul Wahab beat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Piee Ling by a majority of 858 votes.

Wan Abdul Wahab obtained 2,715 votes while Piee, 1,857 votes.

Many political observers predict that Sadong Jaya needs a drastic change.

Coincidentally, PBB held a high level closed door meeting at the new DUN building and it was understood that they were talking about two main things – finalising PBB candidacy and also finalising election machinery.

According to an insider, the election could be held anytime soon.