GE14: DAP on the move for Puncak Borneo
KUCHING: DAP is making its presence felt in areas under Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency in an apparent show of interest by the party to contest this seat in the coming 14th General Election (GE14).
The party’s Mambong branch deputy chairman Sanjan Daik, who contested in Mambong in the last state election, is making regular walkabouts nowadays at Siburan and Tapah bazaars.
He was recently spotted in Siburan distributing the party’s Rocket newsletters and talking to the people.
Sanjan said the walkabouts at both Siburan and Tapah were to engage with the locals and to ensure the party remains relevant.
“We receive positive and overwhelming response from the public in both areas which are under Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency.
“The party will continue to organise more walkabouts in other areas like Tarat, Beratok, Baki and Siniawan to keep the people informed by distributing our Rocket newsletter,” he said.
Sanjan, a political secretary to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, also brushed aside talks that DAP has been ‘quiet’ in Puncak Borneo since the last state election as totally baseless.
He responded by saying DAP Mambong branch service centre was continually providing service for the public since the last state election despite not winning the seat.
“I totally agree that in fighting againstthemighty BarisanNasional ( BN), the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) must be united in order to avoid fighting one another.
“During the last Sarawak state election, DAP and PKR fought each other in not less than five seats which saw all the seats won by BN. The result in the last state election could have been different in hot seats like Mambong and Batu Kitang should there been no clash between DAP and PKR,” he said.
In the state election held on May 7 last year, Mambong saw a threecornered fight between direct BN candidate Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Sanjan from DAP and PKR candidate Willie Mongin.
Sanjan polled 2,828 votes against the 6,161 votes garnered by Dr Jerip, while Willie managed 2,645 votes.
Should Sanjan contest in the general election, it will be his first time contesting for a parliamentary seat but it will be Willie’s second attempt if the latter also joins in the contest.
Speculation is rife that BN will field a new face to replace the three-term incumbent Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, who could be dropped due to health issues.
Due to talk that the GE14 could be held as early as September this year, Sanjan called on those eligible to vote to register as voters if they had not done so.
“As for the coming general election, DAP Mambong is prepared to help Pakatan Harapan wrest Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency from BN,” he said.
He cited lack of affordable housing, high cost of living and concerns over Native Customary Rights ( NCR) land as issues affecting the people.