Avoid making baseless statements regarding candidacy for Baram
MIRI: Marudi division of Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) is appealing to individuals not to make any unnecessary statement to the press with regard to the candidacy for Baram in the next parliamentary election, as what a so- called political activist Kho Thien Seng had done recently.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is also PDP Marudi chairman, said this was to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding or tension not just among party members, but also the people at large.
In his recent statement, Kho had called for the replacement of incumbent Baram MP Anyi Ngau to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional ( BN) in the 14th general election (GE14).
“The individual ( Kho) also claimed that there had been dwindling support for BN in Baram, citing the outcome of the previous GE to prove this point.
“This has misled the ‘rakyat’ (people) especially those in Baram because the incumbent (Anyi) still has strong support on the ground. Please do not repeat the mistake,” Penguang told reporters during a press conference here yesterday.
According to him, it would not be good to the party and the people if the replacement of elected representatives occurred too often.
“Five years is not a very long time. Some have been on the seat for 20, 30 years. Why not give him (Anyi) the chance to prove himself.
“Baram is a PDP – a BN component party – seat. Hence, this understanding and tradition of mutual respect in BN must be upheld. Let us continue to support any BN component party and its candidate,” he said.
Penguang, who is Marudi assemblyman, further said for any change in the candidacy for Baram, the assemblymen for Marudi, Telang Usan and Mulu must be duly consulted, and the proposal be supported by community leaders under these state constituencies.
“It (candidacy) would never be from individuals who are there to pursue their own agenda – they are not even local community leaders, members of any political party or individuals with outstanding social standing. Hence, their views do not represent those of the constituents.
“As such, it’s very unbecoming for the person ( Kho) to come up with that kind of statement,” he added.
Earlier, Penguang chaired a meeting with members of PDP Marudi committee.
“This meeting is called for as a result of the Registrar of Societies ( ROS) approval of our logo and change of name,” he said, adding that they also discussed issues faced by the party which later, culminated in a number of resolutions.
One of the resolutions was to express the division’s full support for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s fight for the devolution of power, particularly in reclaiming Sarawakians’ rights as set forth under Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Intergovernmental Committee Report ( IGC Report).
“We would also like to appeal to the party leadership to be more transparent and systematic in administering and handling party matters that would inevitably affect the wellbeing of all party members; hence, our relationship with other BN component parties in the state,” he said.
PDP Marudi also requested for the holding of the branch annual general meeting (AGM) and the main triennial general assembly ( TGA) the soonest before GE14, so PDP members could run the election machinery better.
“We also urge that the party leadership be more proactive, open and able to establish better two-way communications and interactions with the branches, especially on major policies as well as matters of interest to the members,” added Penguang.
Political secretary to the Chief Minister Alexander Asing Sadai was also present.