29 seats target for Sarawak BN

SIBU: The state Barisan Nasional (BN) has been given the responsibility to win 29 out of 31 parliamentary seats in the coming general election.

Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said Sarawak BN could retain its 25 seats and wrest four more seats from the opposition.

"The four seats are Stampin, Sarikei, Sibu and Miri. If we work hard and with the cooperation of the community leaders, we can win back the four seats and retain 25 others in the coming election," he said at the closing of 'Sijil Tadbir Urus Desa INFRA-UniKL' programme (Sarawak Zone) here yesterday.

Dr Annuar, who is also Nangka assemblyman, said the BN could win back Sibu seat because the majority of voters are Bumiputera. Sibu seat comprises the state seats of Nangka, Bawang Assan and Pelawan.

"If we look at the results of the last state election, Bawang Assan won with about 4,000 vote majority, Nangka (about 7,000 votes) but Pelawan lost to the opposition with about 4,000 votes.

"But there are other factors to consider – the candidate and possible issues to be brought up. State and general elections are not the same.”

Dr Annuar said the forthcoming election would be very important for Sarawakians.

"We want to restore Sarawak's rights under Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63). The prime minister has agreed to restore these rights.

"To ensure that our voice can be heard and our needs turn to reality, Sarawakians must be united and give their fullest support to the BN government to ensure big win.”

Dr Annuar also called on community leaders, particularly longhouse chiefs to play their role effectively since they are very close to the people on the ground. They must tell their charges to vote for BN.

The 'Sijil Tadbir Urus Desa INFRA-UniKL' programme which was held from March 22 to 24 was participated by 456 people comprising community leaders and members of Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK) from Kapit, Song, and Bukit Mabong districts.