Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa
KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Youth chief Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa is unhappy over a comment by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan, who said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would want to claim Engkilili in the next state election.
Rayong, who is the present Engkilili assemblyman, views such political rhetoric as ‘sheer arrogance’.
“Please do not be so arrogant. And do not count your chickens before they hatch,” said Rayong when met here yesterday, where he highlighted the need to make a stand regarding the matter because he would defend the Engkilili sent in the next polls, under the PSB ticket.
The next Sarawak state election is expected to be called within the first half of 2021.
Adding on, Rayong said Snowdan should have respected the wish of the majority before making such call.
Snowdan, who is the Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports and also Balai Ringin assemblyman, was reported to have made the comment at the launch of GPS Zone 6 at Lachau town in Pantu near Sri Aman last Saturday, which Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated.
GPS Zone 6 covers the state constituencies of Balai Ringin, Bukit Begunan, Simanggang, Engkilili and Batang Ai.
All of these constituencies – except Engkilili – are held by PRS. Simanggang is held by SUPP.
Rayong won in Engkilili in 2016, as a direct Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate.
Traditionally, Engkilili belongs to Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), but Rayong then joined SUPP’s splinter party, the United People’s Party (UPP) which has been rebranded as PSB. Sarawak’s ruling coalition GPS was formed following the outcome of the 14th general election last year, when BN lost and Pakatan Harapan took over the helm of the federal government.
The coalition comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), SUPP, PRS and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).