Anyie will be re-nominated for Baram, says Tiong
KUCHING: All the hoo-hah surrounding the political future of Baram MP Anyie Ngau should stop as the party still prefers him to defend the seat in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14), says Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He asserted that Anyie will be re-nominated as he is very humble and capable of serving the people of Baram and he is also a team player and works well with the three state assemblymen from the area.
“Insofar as PDP is concerned, our candidate for Baram will be the incumbent, Anyie Ngau. So, I hope everyone in the area will put the matter to rest as this is PDP’s internal affair. And outsiders should respect our party’s decision and therefore should not interfere in our party affair,” Tiong told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Speculations have been rife that a former elected representative from the area has been lobbying for the seat and this has caused uneasiness among PDP and BN supporters in Baram area.
With Tiong’s assertion that Anyie is still the most winnable candidate for Baram, the people
Insofar as PDP is concerned, our candidate for Baram will be the incumbent, Anyie Ngau. So, I hope everyone in the area will put the matter to rest as this is PDP’s internal affair. And outsiders should respect our party’s decision and therefore should not interfere in our party affair. Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president
on the ground, especially PDP supporters, should now focus on winning the seat and retaining it for the BN in GE14.
Tiong also revealed that PDP will retain Mas Gading MP Datuk Anthony Nogeh Gumbek as he is still the most winnable candidate for the constituency.
On his Bintulu seat, Tiong who is also the government’s special envoy to east Asia, namely Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, leaves his candidacy to the top BN leadership and the people, especially the voters.
“As far as Bintulu is concerned, it’s not for me to decide. Although I am the party president, I can’t nominate myself.
“So, I leave my political future to the people to decide,” he stressed.
On Saratok, Tiong reiterated that PDP will have its own candidate for GE14, although he would not want to reveal any details of the individual(s).
Saratok is currently held by Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, who had left SPDP and is now partyless.
In the last State election, Mawan was fielded as a BN direct candidate in Pakan, and eventually won the seat.
When contacted, PDP deputy president Datuk Nelson Ballang Rining agreed with Tiong that all four PDP’s seats should be left to the party to decide whom among its leaders are the most winnable candidates.
“PDP is a full- f ledged BN component party. So our decision should be respected and outsiders should not interfere into our party affairs as it is not their business,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Marudi assemblyman and PDP’s supreme council member Datu Dr Penguang Manggil stressed that Anyie is still the most winnable candidate for Baram.
On top of that, he pointed out that there has been a gentlemen’s agreement in Baram that if the state assemblyman of Marudi is an Iban; the assemblyman for Telang Usan is from the Kayan community and Mulu assemblyman is from the Kelabit community, then the Baram MP should be from the Kenyah community.
“And as far as the three of us are concerned, we have agreed that Anyie, who is a Kayan, should be retained as our candidate for Baram in the upcoming GE14,” added Penguang who is Assistant Minister for Local Government.
He also urged voters in Marudi to continue their support for the BN as there will be rapid development coming their way.
Topping the list is Marudi Bridge, which will cost RM84 million; Marudi Town embankment project costing RM17.36 ( RM8 million from the State and the remaining from the Federal Government) will commence next year; waterfront project RM23 million; mini industrial estate RM11 million and RM3.5 million for renovation of the renowned Fort Hose.
“Besides that, works on the Marudi Road is progressing pretty well and that will be a plus factor for the overall growth of Marudi District,” added Penguang.