KUCHING: PKR’s aspiring candidate Willie Mongin is already focused on how to unseat Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in Puncak Borneo in the coming 14th general election (GE14).
Having contested twice in the state election and once in the parliamentary election, the PKR Puncak Borneo branch chairman has a lot of things already going for him – recognition among the voters, an existing campaign staff, established voter communication channels and probably young voters to back him.
Willie said since his party leadership gave him the mandate to start moving, he had been active on the ground in order to catch up with BN.
“For about a year I have set my feet in the community affairs, personally visiting the voters and attending social programmes to keep my relationship with the constituents.
“So far, I’m the party’s only candidate for Puncak Borneo and if there is any change, I’m still okay with it,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Willie said for now, he is moving alone or with two or three people, as his campaign team would only be activated once the actual election campaign kicks off.
In fact, Willie is no stranger to voters in Puncak Borneo having contested in the constituency, which then was named Mambong, in 2013.
In that poll, BN’s Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit won the seat in a three-cornered fight, which also included Dr Dripin Sakoi of STAR, with a majority of 9,721 votes.
Dawos, however, is very unlikely to defend the seat in the next election due to health reason, which certainly will make the seat one of the most interesting seats to watch as BN is expected to field a new face.
It is believed that BN has narrowed its potential candidates’ list from about 20 to about five now.
Willie said even if BN fields a fresh blood in Puncak Borneo, their strength could not be underestimated.
“BN has established itself in Puncak Borneo and I’m sure the coalition is wise enough, has its own ways and strategies to pick a suitable candidate to defend the seat,” he said.
On Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB)’s intention to join in the fray in Puncak Borneo, Willie said he was prepared for a multi-cornered fight, adding although he preferred a straight fight, he could not stop PBDSB from contesting.
“Let them join. In democracy we can’t stop anybody from contesting. Personally, I can’t afford to also underestimate them because they may also have their own followers,” he said.
PBDSB has announced its potential candidate in the person of Rapelson Richard Hamit, also a new blood, for Puncak Borneo.