Baru greets locals in Selangau during the campaign period.
KUCHING: Newly-elected Selangau MP Baru Bian says he is humbled by the outcome of the election which saw him secure a 486-vote majority against his opponent from Barisan Nasional (BN).
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state chairman said the battle as ‘close’ and described Rita Insol as a worthy opponent.
“Not only has Pakatan Harapan won in Selangau, but also in the rural and semi-rural seats of Saratok, Puncak Borneo and Mas Gading. Truly, it is an outcome that is outstanding for us,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
According to him, the victory has proven several points.
“Firstly, it has proven our critics wrong. Many had said that the Dayaks are the fixed deposit of BN and that they can be easily bought. We have shown that the political tsunami has reached the heartland of Borneo in Selangau.
He said rural Sarawak is maturing in politics, with the people showing an impressive understanding of what is happening in the country.
“The people of Selangau remind me so much of the people of Ba Kelalan – they are able to understand and appreciate political development and display an incredible zest for change, to be part of the awakening that has been happening across the country and to make a difference to the political landscape of Malaysia.”
Baru said the response he received in Selangau during the campaign trail was ‘so positive’, with the people excited to hear the message and promises of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“The support and assurance they gave was very meaningful to me, being a non-local offering myself to them as their MP.”
While many people, especially on the BN side, have said that native customary rights (NCR) issues are no longer relevant, Baru said it has been proven that NCR issues are still pertinent and discussed by the people with great passion.
“The people do not trust that the BN government will safeguard the ownership of their lands. Also, the infrastructure and basic amenities in Selangau need much improvement. They are far behind in terms of development and have lost hope in the BN government to raise their living standards,” he added.
Most importantly, Baru said his victory has proven that Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and his like-minded parochial friends were wrong in their assessment that the Ibans of Selangau will not accept a Lun Bawang from Ba Kelalan as their Member of Parliament.
“The people of Selangau are Sarawakians first, Iban second. They have displayed superior political awareness and have chosen to elect a person without any consideration of his ethnicity or origin.
“As I have said, I am humbled by their trust in me, and their willingness to accept me into their fold. Most of all, I am grateful for their trust in me to represent them in Parliament, and I will do my best for them.
“I promise to bring change in Selangau as set out in our PH manifesto, and God willing, I will keep my promise. I look forward to fulfilling my responsibilities as MP for Selangau and to fostering a closer relationship with the people of Selangau.”
Baru also made special mention to the outstanding young people of Selangau, who came back in droves and moved on the ground to convince their parents and elders to embrace change and vote for a new government.
“This is a victory for them, and it must be an inspiration to them that their efforts have borne fruit in this excellent outcome.”
He went on to thank party workers, friends, family members and sympathisers who had worked hard and long hours during the campaign period.
“Truly, I could not have done it without them. I believe that this win for Pakatan Harapan is part of God’s plan and His perfect timing for a new and better Sarawak and Malaysia. Indeed, a new dawn has come to Selangau.”