No clear favourite to replace Dawos
KUCHING: In the latest twist of event in Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency, the name of prominent lawyer and PBB Mambong deputy branch chairman Datuk Detta Samen, 64, once the top contender to replace incumbent Dato Sri Dr James Mamit, has been dropped from the candidates' list which was submitted to PBB top leadership last month.
According to sources in PBB inner circle, three names have emerged as the favourites. They are Tuah Suni, 56, who is Deputy Kuching Resident and hails from Tarat Melawi, Serian; Councillor Wejok Tomik, 44, a lawyer and councillor of Bau District Council who hails from Skandis Lama and Jeannoth Sinel, in his 50s, a Land and Survey Department officer who hails from Skuduk.
Sources believed that the three individuals have slight advantage over 17 others who have been actively lobbying for the seat.
However, among the three, it would be very unlikely for Tuah and Wejok as they are considered ‘outsiders' for the seat is meant for someone who comes from the heart of Puncak Borneo; namely from Padawan and Penrissen areas.
“If Tuah were given the chance, then the Bidayuhs from Serian will have two MPs as the Serian MP will be elected from among the Bidayuhs from the district. So it would not be fair for the Padawan and Penrissen people,” a source said when contacted yesterday.
The source added that it would not be fair to the Padawan and Penrissen people as well, if Wejok, who hails from one of the villages in Bau District were to be given the nod because there is already an MP for Mas Gading in Bau.
“So we are left with only one potential candidate in the person of Jeannoth. But in any general election, there are always individuals who are not included in the list and are considered ‘dark horses' who ends up given the green light to represent the BN,” said one of the sources.
Among the ‘dark horses' who could be considered by the top BN leadership are Paul Ponar, 62, an officer with Regional Corrider of Renewable Energy (Recoda) and a former Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) senior assistant controller, who hails from Jambu, Padawan; Buckland Bangik, 55 who is director of State Planning Unit (SPU) from Tarat Sibala; Sarawak administrative officer (SAO) Rengen Jamang, 55, of Garung; Siang Prede, in his 40s from Bengoh and Dawos' current private secretary and councillor Bronnie Marshall Benedict Poris, 41, a real estate broker from Jambu, who is also a PBB Youth central exco member.
“However, among the so-called ‘dark horses', Paul is seen as having an added advantage over the rest due to his close rapport with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as his late father in-law Dato Sri John Nichol Kassim was aidede-camp to the first Governor of Sarawak and the late father of the current chief minister.
“We can see how close the families are. The chief minister and his wife visited the family when his (Paul) mother in-law Datin Sri Vera Nichol passed away recently,” added the source.
When contacted, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh believed that whoever was given the chance to represent PBB in the upcoming general election, he/she would have a tough time facing the opposition especially PKR in Puncak Borneo.
“It's going to be a very challenging and tough fight for the BN this time around. We, the BN elected representatives from the area will have to work harder. I consider Puncak Borneo as a grey area because we really have to work hard in order to win,” said Miro.
While Puncak Borneo is considered a semi-urban area due to its close proximity to Kuching, it still lacks many basic amenities especially good roads, electricity and treated water supplies.