BN’s new face Nogeh topples former MP

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A GOOD FIGHT: Nogeh (left) and Mordi showing the thumbs-up after the results were announced.

BAU: Barisan Nasional newcomer Anthony Nogeh Gumbek proved BN was still a selling brand in Mas Gading as he foiled the efforts of former MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, who stood as an independent to wrest the seat.

Nogeh, the new face introduced by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), won by 2,156 votes after garnering 8,265 votes against Dr Tiki’s 6,109 in a four- cornered fight.

In third place was political greenhorn from Democratic Action Party (DAP), Mordi Bimol, who got 5,293 votes while another former MP Patrick Anek Uren of State Reform Party (STAR) only received 462 votes and lost his deposit.

Returning officer Simon Japut Tiok announced Nogeh as the winner at 8.15pm after vote tallying was completed at the tallying centre at Bau Civic Centre. Only Mordi was the other candidate present, while Dr Tiki and Anek were not in sight.

Nogeh, when interviewed after the announcement of results, said the win showed people of Mas Gading still had faith in BN.

He thanked campaigners especially Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and members from all BN components who had made the victory possible.

He somewhat congratulated his three opponents for campaigning in a civilised manner and wished to tell them that he would always regard them as friends.

“Yes, I am relieved that I have won. It has been a long campaigning period of two weeks. There were hiccups along the way. But we have enjoyed it, I got to meet the rakyat and as I said, all the three other candidates were friendly and we shook hands as we bumped into each other,” he said.

To a question, he conceded there were times that his team feared losing due to stories in the blogosphere and the social media.

“If you read the blogs, they said we were trailing far behind. But we carried on, met with the rakyat and let them as voters decide,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mordi, 28, looked gracious in defeat as he seemed surprised with the more than 5,000 votes he had garnered.

He told reporters that he would continue fighting for the interests of the people, saying he wanted to emulate Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen who is now a popular elected representative despite losing previous elections.

Asked if he would contest again in the next state election in the seat of Tasik Biru, he said: “Maybe, it depends on the party. I think I have done my best for Mas Gading.”

“I have worked hard for the past two years. In the last 15 days, I still moved around though not feeling well due to lack of sleep. It’s the people’s choice, they have spoken, I respect the decision and I congratulate the new MP (Nogeh),” he said.

Based on the votes in polling districts, Nogeh performed well in areas under Opar state seat, but he lost many votes in Tasik Biru, especially in Singai areas and also some Jagoi-Bratak areas; namely Suba Buan, Suba Bandar, Stungkor, Stass and Sibuluh.

DAP won a lot of votes in Chinese areas; namely Tondong, Sebuku and Taiton, and also performed admirably in Stenggang.

Of the three Bidayuh majority seats, Mas Gading was rated the hottest mainly due to heated rivalry between BN supporters and loyalists of Dr Tiki, said to still command respect from many community leaders.

About 79.1 per cent of the 25,821 registered voters in the constituency turned up to vote this time, compared to 67.37 per cent in 2008.

In the 2008 general election, Dr Tiki, who was then in BN, won by a majority of 4,301 votes against his nearest challenger Dr Patau Rubis of SNAP.