‘GE14: BN candidate for Sibu must be people-centric’

SIBU: The ideal Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Sibu in the 14th general election (GE14) should be a people- centric leader.

According to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) acting Bawang Assan branch chairman Romeo Christopher Tegong, this is the ruling coalition’s stand and also the wishes of the Bawang Assan folk.

“We have discussed among our members – what we want in the ‘calon’ (candidate) for P212 Bandar Sibu – the individual must be people- centric, which means going down to the ground to feel the pulse of the people; not simply engaging in the ‘remote control’ approach to connect with the people.

“No ‘remote control’, please. The leader must visit the longhouses and villages often. In fact as political secretary to chief minister, I have been going around with several ministers and people’s representatives who visit their constituencies every week. That is what we want – for the people to be able to tell their representatives about the problems, and also for the representatives to take care of them,” he pointed out.

Romeo also stressed that they wantedacandidatewhowouldwork hard for the people, irrespective of any political affiliation.

“We want them ( elected representatives) to work for the people – not for themselves, for power or for something else.

“Thissamecriterionshouldapply to the BN candidate for Lanang ( parliamentary constituency),” he opined.

Romeo’s remarks followed an announcement by UPP that Dato Andrew Wong would be its potential candidate for Sibu, and Ting Kee Nguan for Lanang.