PROMISE OF SUPPORT: John (standing) addressing the audience during the ‘Ngarom Tikuruk Jagoi Bratak’ dinner.
BAU: SPDP’s pick for Mas Gading in the 13th general election, Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, has been assured of full support from PBB Tasik Biru and PBB Opar branches.
PBB leaders in Mas Gading, led by PBB Tasik Biru chairman John Nyigor, all expressed their backing for Nogeh during the ‘Ngarom Tikuruk Jagoi Bratak’ (Bratak Jagoi Gathering) at Brooke Homestay, Pejiru, near here on Saturday.
Other PBB leaders present were PBB Tasik Biru publicity chief Patrick Sibon, PBB Tasik Biru Youth chief Lobot Juma and PBB Opar deputy chairman Asiang Gihep.
Other representatives from villages in Jagoi-Bratak who were present also expressed similar support for Nogeh.
They said they regarded Nogeh as the most suitable candidate for the BN to contest in Mas Gading, whose MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is now partyless after being sacked from SPDP about a year ago for gross insubordination.
John said the candidate for Mas Gading should be picked from BN component parties and not otherwise.
“If we pick people from within BN, nobody will question. There is no assurance that we will support a candidate from outside BN,” he said.
“I am not against any individual but we must follow BN principles, and that is that those in the BN should be nominated as the candidate.”
He also advised all Bidayuh voters in Mas Gading to be united and give their full backing to Nogeh.
“People are now rushing to become the BN candidate because people believe BN can still sell. BN has principles. In the BN Supreme Council, every component party has two representatives, but ‘BN Club’ do not have its representative in the Supreme Council.”
The BN Club is a yet-to-be registered body led by sacked SPDP members. They are now actively promoting Dr Tiki to defend Mas Gading.
With so many goings-on in Mas Gading, John believed that the electorate we now well informed and would not be easily hoodwinked.
Sibon said they fully support Nogeh as the people of Jagoi and Bratak villages needed an elected representative who is close to the people.
“We have confidence in Nogeh because he is the person who can work with the people,” he said, adding that the people of Jagoi and Bratak had been waiting for 15 years for this moment.
Sibon stressed that giving infrastructure alone was not enough. There needed to be economic development as well.
“Commercial agriculture should be one of the economic activities that an elected representative should bring to the people in the constituency.”
He cited the people’s interest in wanting to plant rubber as one area where the assistance of an elected representative is much needed.
“Many people were interested to plant rubber on their land but Risda (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) wanted the land to be titled first before they could approve the projects. We have no land title and as such Risda couldn’t help us.
“So, we want our representative to address the matter.”
Lobot said everyone should respect SPDP’s decision to nominate Nogeh.
“He is a capable person and if given the chance I believe he can deliver and serve the constituents well.”
Asiang, who spoke on behalf of PBB Opar, said the branch also fully supported Nogeh’s nomination.
He opined that the people of Mas Gading needed a representative who is proactive and could help bring some semblance of economic transformation in Mas Gading.