MIRI: The announcement by Sarawak National Party (SNAP) that former Miri district officer Johari Bujang would be their candidate for Lambir may have opened the floodgates for a free-for-all fight in this predominantly Iban and Malay constituency.
The announcement has put to naught Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s bid for a one-to-one contest with Barisan Nasional (BN) in all seats in the coming state election.
SNAP president Edwin Dundang Bugak in justifying Johari’s nomination said Johari, being former deputy Miri Resident, has the edge as he was a popular district officer while serving in Lambir and Subis districts and is a moderate and liberal person, ever ready to listen to the people’s problems.
“Johari is a capable candidate for Lambir and he has an established grassroots support from the Ibans and Kedayans and has been doing a good job for the people in Miri, Lambir and Bekenu during his term of office,” Edwin said to The Borneo Post when contacted in Kuching yesterday.
Johari’s candidacy was announced by the SNAP president during the party’s meeting in Kuching last Tuesday.
This would mean the constituency would see at least a three-cornered fight as BN would surely defend the seat through incumbent Datuk Aidan Wing of Parti Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is certain to field its aspiring candidate Zulhaidah Hadie @ Suboh.
Aidan is a veteran politician and enjoys strong grassroots support from all BN component parties and has served Lambir and Subis for several terms.
In the 2006 state election, he won the seat by beating PKR candidate Ustas Saji.
On the other hand, Zulhaidah is the secretary of PKR Youth wing and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Management at a college here.
The 37-year-old is however, unsure which constituency she would be contesting in as she has been seen moving in both Lambir and Bekenu, saying the choice would be determined by PR leadership.
She, however, said she is not a foreigner in Lambir as most of her family members live there.
Political observers here believe Lambir will be an interesting constituency to watch during this election.