47-year-old businessman to challenge Kemena incumbent

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BINTULU: Jame Stephen Randi, a 47-year-old businessman, will most likely be an independent candidate and face off with candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PKR) possibly in a three-cornered battle for Kemena constituency in the coming 10th state election.

The incumbent for Kemena is Dr Stephen Rundi Utom who is also Assistant Minister of Public Health and Utilities.

Jame has tendered his resignation as chairman of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Bintulu branch and member of its executive committee.

In his letter of resignation dated April 2, he said: “I have made a vow to the branch members and supreme executive committee of SDNU that I would step down gracefully from the branch chairmanship and member of the supreme executive committee should I play active politics.

“And to fulfil that promise, I am tendering my resignation from the two posts but to remain as ordinary member of the union.”

He explained that he did this as he did not want to drag the union into his political activities.

“I have a firm belief and uphold that Sarawak Dayak National Union is a non-political organisation.

“Though there is no provision in SDNU’s constitution that states a member must resign from his post in the union when the member is running for an election,” said Jame in his letter addressed to the SDNU executive secretary in Kuching.

Thus, the chairmanship of Bintulu branch will be handed over to Anthony Kiai, pending the next election of office-bearers.

“I take this opportunity to thank members of Sarawak Dayak National Union for the confidence and support bestowed on me during my tenure of office and may the same confidence and support be given to my successor,” he said.

Jame owns a business which is based in Kuala Lumpur and he is theeldest grandson of the first Kemena assemblyman and former state cabinet minister, the late Datuk Seri Temenggong Abok Jalin.