THIS IS YOURS: Jabu (left), assisted by Nogeh (right), presents a land title to a wheelchair-bound landowner. — Photo by Chimon Upon
BAU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu yesterday chided Mas Gading incumbent Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe for further splitting the Bidayuhs by choosing to contest as an independent against Barisan Nasional.
“We wholeheartedly supported Dr Tiki in the past when he was the BN candidate. Now, it is his turn to support whoever is being chosen (to replace him). Just because you are disappointed, you want to fight against us. No, the interests and welfare of the community are much bigger than your self-interests,” he told reporters after presenting land titles to participants of Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) oil palm estates in Bau-Lundu region yesterday.
When asked, he hinted action might be taken against the chairman of National Service Training Council after the election.
Dr Tiki, who had been an MP for Mas Gading since 1999 until the recent dissolution, was dropped from the list of BN candidates despite lobbying hard to defend the seat as a direct BN candidate. Anthony Nogeh Gumbek from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) was chosen by BN for the predominantly Bidayuh seat.
Jabu, the most senior Dayak politician to date who has criticised Dr Tiki for contesting against BN, reiterated that Nogeh was the only BN candidate for the constituency and that other candidates in the four-cornered contest should be viewed as opposition.
Held at Stenggang Oil Palm Estate, Bau-Lundu road, the function saw the attendance of Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin and other Bidayuh BN leaders under the Udung Bidayuh (Bidayuh Forum) lending their support to Nogeh who was present.
In his speech earlier, Jabu was clearly upset with Dr Tiki for not considering the future of the Bidayuh community.
“But he (Dr Tiki) has to remember, there were many who opposed the decision to re-nominate Dr Tiki (in 2008) but they were able to subdue their disappointment.
“To Dr Tiki, do not be emotional and do things out of anger. You will still be respected at this last hour if you bring your supporters back to support BN, for the best interests of the Bidayuh community. Do not split the Bidayuhs. I came here to bring you this message,” he said.
Jabu also spoke about Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian, who recently declared he (Nansian) would not campaign in Mas Gading despite being closely associated with Dr Tiki.
He said he was given assurance by Nansian that Nansian’s friends and supporters would be supporting the BN candidate in Mas Gading.
“He (Nansian) is helping the BN team in Baram.
“He has been accused of not helping here (Mas Gading). It’s okay. When we strategise, we bring people to other areas to strengthen and in this case he (Nansian) wants to help out there, so it is okay,” he explained.
He also hoped that Mas Gading voters would not let Democratic Action Party (DAP) win the seat.
“DAP has suppressed and oppressed the poor native landowners from participating in BN government’s poverty eradication programmes.
“Their attitude is negative, why should landowners support DAP,” he said, adding DAP and other peninsula-based parties were promoting politics that did not suit local customs.
Jabu, also BN director of operations, said he had visited many areas during the campaigning period and believed the state BN would be able to meet its target of winning 27 out of the 31 seats to help the national BN secure two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Manyin called on Mas Gading voters to vote Nogeh to ensure uninterrupted development in the constituency.
“The development in Bidayuh areas is still ‘bayuh sedek’ or ‘aruak cukup’ (not enough).
“Thus, think wisely when casting your vote to ensure that development for the Bidayuh community in the next five, 10 or 20 years is on par with the urban areas,” he said. #myvote13 #ge13