Nyalau (seated fourth right) seen with more than 307 community leaders comprising longhouse chiefs, village heads, kapitan, councillors and elders as well as more than 4,000 people who attended the ‘Begitu Sejalai’ programme at Lubok Antu Sports Complex on Saturday.
KUCHING: Voters in Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency came in droves to attend a ‘Begitu Sejalai’ gathering with Datuk William Nyalau Badak at the Lubok Antu Sports Complex on Saturday.
Numbering more than 4,000, they came to express their support for Nyalau to be re-nominated to defend the Lubok Antu seat for the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th general election (GE14).
The gathering was also attended by more than 307 community leaders comprising longhouse chiefs, village heads, kapitan, councillors and elders.
Speaking on behalf of the people who attended the event, community leaders Michael Derin Empaga (event organising chairman and from Batang Ai Ili), Penghulu Nyambong Maweng (from Engkilili) and Penghulu Betok Tubi (from Skim Skrang) said they wanted their voices to he heard that there was nobody suitable to replace Nyalau and he was the best person to win the seat for BN.
“For us, he has done his job very well and excellently and is very close to the people, especially the voters. He always goes down every weekend and understands the people’s needs well,” added Michael.
They also said Nyalau had good relationship with Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa and because of their friendship people in the parliamentary constituency could enjoy political harmony and development.
They also said it was not the right time to replace Nyalau due to the unstable political situation in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and because he had strong grassroots support.
Besides that, they feared that there would be disharmony among the constituents and people would be split politically if Nyalau were not re-nominated.
“There is no reason why Nyalau should not be re-nominated. I did not see him (Nyalau) not doing his duties as Lubok Antu MP all this while and if indeed he had shortcomings as an elected representative, that should
not overshadow what he had done for the people during his two terms as Lubok Antu MP,” commented Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Engkilili branch chairman and longhouse chief Bangkong Mawing.
Meanwhile, Nyalau said he was overwhelmed by the open support and promised he would work hard if he was re-nominated and won the seat.
At the same time, he reminded the people of Lubok Antu to always support Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.