Jaziri (seated second left) speaks to reporters after chairing the Bersatu Sarawak’s information chiefs meeting in Bintulu on Saturday
KUCHING: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sarawak wants to play a bigger role or even the leading role in the state opposition parties bloc’s push towards winning the 12th State Election, which it expects to be held anytime this year.
Bersatu Sarawak chairman Jaziri Alkaf Suffian said even the Prime Minister and party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already indicated that Sarawak will be the party’s next focus after Bersatu concluded its own party elections in June.
“We are ready to take up this challenge because there have been feedback received from the grassroots who want Bersatu Sarawak to take the lead going into the next State Election.
“I see that Tun Dr. Mahathir as Bersatu chairman had blown the ‘semboyan’ (warhorn), and we at Bersatu Sarawak are ready and prepared to face the election,” he said in a statement here.
Dr Mahathir had told reporters in Putrajaya after chairing PH presidential council meeting last Friday night that the Sarawak election was discussed in its meeting.
Dr Mahathir had also said PH will hold a convention to decide the candidates to field and ensure no overlaps that will compromise its chances of winning and forming the new state government.
“We will hold a convention, but the date has not been set,” Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying.
On candidates from Bersatu Sarawak and seats to be contested by the party, Jaziri said the names of candidates and seats will be submitted to Dr Mahathir and party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The decision will be made by them,” he added.
He also said a meeting was held in Bintulu on Saturday for information chiefs from all party divisions in the state to identify weaknesses and strengthening party presence in Sarawak, as well as to assess the credibility of potential candidates.
On a related matter, Jaziri on behalf of Bersatu Sarawak leadership committee also urged for the stop of any provocative debate regarding power transition involving the Prime Minister post.
He said Dr Mahathir had explained that PH presidential council has given him full discretion when to step down as prime minister, anytime after the Apec Summit in November.
“Therefore, it is better for us in PH to give more focus on giving service to the people who are now burdened by economic slowdown. Let us do less politicking and less fighting for personal agenda because the people are getting tired of this,” he said.