Mukah set to see new face as incumbent MP calls time
KUCHING: The Mukah parliamentary constituency will almost certainly see a new face being fielded in the coming general election after its incumbent, Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad, indicated that he will not be defending his seat.
The matter was disclosed by Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo, who said Dr Leo has informed his constituents that a new candidate will be fielded in the Melanau-majority seat.
“Yes, it’s true that Mukah MP Tan Sri Dr Leo Michael Toyad has indicated that he will not be defending his seat. He has recommended Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib to replace him,” Yussibnosh said when met on the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting here yesterday.
The assemblyman stressed that a female candidate has been recommended to be fielded in Mukah in line with the Chief Minister’s emphasis for greater female representation in Parliament.
Hanifah, 44, is the youngest child of Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. She has been active on the ground through charitable bodies and non-governmental organisations, especially Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia ( Perkim) of which she is the state chairperson.
In the last general election, Dr Leo won the Mukah seat with a 12,764 majority over DAP’s Hai Merawin and independent candidate Sylvester Ajah Jubah.
Besides Tellian, the two other state seats under Mukah are Dalat and Balingian.
On a separate issue, Yussibnosh welcomed the allocation from
Yes, it’s true that Mukah MP Tan Sri Dr Leo Michael Toyad has indicated that he will not be defending his seat. He has recommended Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib to replace him. Yussibnosh Balo, Tellian assemblyman
the federal government for construction of the new Mukah Airport, which is expected to be completed by 2020.
“The whole idea is for Mukah to have a bigger airport so that it can cater for bigger planes. Currently only Twin Otter planes can land there and due to that, the number of passengers is also very limited.
“Hopefully with the completion of the airport by 2020, bigger planes can service Mukah as it is now an important technical education hub,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yussibnosh disclosed that both SK Tellian and SMK Balingian are now under tender process and works on both schools will begin soon.