GE14: Julau an interesting area to watch, says grassroots party supporters
SARIKEI: Julau will be interesting area to watch in the next parliamentary election, namely because of the conflicting choice of potential Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate.
It is said that there are certain quarters within the BN that are against the endorsement of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) secretarygeneral Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum to defend the seat.
In this regard, there have been ‘hot’ lobbying activities going around across the constituency, which have caught the attention of the media.
Several newspapers reported this over the past several days, including The Borneo Post with the article published on Monday, headlined ‘Salang decries rumours of him declining renomination’.
The lobbyists, however, denied their involvement in spreading such rumour, which they said was a pledge made by Salang in front of thousands of people at a longhouse near Julau during the last parliamentary election.
In a joint statement, former councillor Mawrice Belilie from Nanga Entaih, Tuai Rumah (TR) Philip Balawan of Nanga Sengaih in Entabai, TR Brandah Chabo of Merurun, and TR Luing Sandai of Sungai Rusa, said their action was crucial because the grassroots wanted a new, energetic and capable MP to replace Salang, who had been there for over 20 years.
“The people of Julau want an MP who really understands their needs and one who will fight for funds to prosper Julau and its people.”
They, however, admitted to lobbying for a candidate set to replace Salang.
“Nevertheless, we want to state, in writing, to the top BN leaders that the pursuit of this agenda is done on voluntary basis. There has been neither undue pressure nor enticement on our part. We share our workloads as well as the expenses incurred,” they said.
They believed that they were exercising their democratic rights to nominate a candidate of their choice.
As such, they would carry out their activities as usual and leave it to the top BN leadership to make the final decision.