No clear favourite to replace Dawos
Three individuals have slight advantage over 17 others who have been actively lobbying for the Puncak Borneo seat
KUCHING: In the latest twist of events in Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency, the name of prominent lawyer and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Mambong branch deputy chairman Datuk Detta Samen, 64 – once the top contender to replace incumbent Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit – has been dropped from the candidates’ list that was submitted to PBB top leadership last month.
According to sources in PBB inner cycle, three names have emerged as the favourites — Tuah Suni, 56, who is Deputy Kuching Resident and hails from Tarat Melawi, Serian; Councillor Wejok Tomik, 44, a lawyer and councillor of Bau District Council who hails from Skandis Lama; and Jeannoth Sinel, in his 50s, a Land and Survey Department officer who hails from Skuduk.
Sources believed that the three individuals have slight advantage over 17 others who have been actively lobbying for the seat.
However among the three, it would be very unlikely for Tuah and Wejok as they are considered ‘outsiders’ as the seat is meant for someone who comes from the heart of Puncak Borneo – namely from Padawan and Penrissen areas.
“If Tuah were given the chance, then the Bidayuhs from Serian will have two MPs as the Serian MP will be elected from among the Bidayuhs from the district. So it would not be fair for the Padawan and Penrissen people,” a source said when contacted yesterday.
The source added that it would not be fair to the Padawan and Penrissen people as well, if Wejok, who hails from one of the villages in Bau District, were to be given the nod because there is already an MP for Mas Gading.
“So we are lef t with only one potential candidate, in the person of Jeannoth. But in any general election, there are always individuals who are not included in the list and are considered ‘dark horses’, who end up being given the green light to represent BN,” said one of the sources.
Among the ‘dark horses’ who could be considered by the top Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership are Paul Ponar, 62, an officer with Regional Corridor Development Authorit y ( Recoda) and a former Natural Resources and Environmental Board ( NREB) senior assistant controller who hails from Jambu, Padawan; Buckland Bangik, 55, who is director of State Planning Unit
However, among the socalled ‘dark horses’, Paul is seen as having an added advantage over the rest due to his close rapport with chief minister as his (Paul’s) late father in-law Dato Sri John Nichol Kassim was aide-de-camp to the first Governor of Sarawak and the late father of the current chief minister. Source
( SPU) from Tarat Sibala; state administrative officer ( SAO) Rengen Jamang, 55, of Garung; Siang Prede, in his 40s from Bengoh; and Dawos’ current private secretary Councillor Bronnie Marshall Benedict Poris, 41, a real-estate broker from Jambu who is also a PBB Youth Central executive committee member.
“However, among the so- called ‘dark horses’, Paul is seen as having an added advantage over the rest due to his close rapport with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, as his ( Paul’s) late father-in-law Dato Sri John Nichol Kassim was aide- de- camp to the fi rst Governor of Sarawak and the late father of the current chief minister.
“We can see how close the families are. The chief minister and his wife visited the family when his ( Paul’s) mother in-law Datin Sri Vera Nichol passed away recently,” added the source.
When contacted, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh believed that whoever being given the chance to represent PBB in the upcoming parliamentary election would have a tough time facing the opposition, especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Puncak Borneo.
“It’s going to be a very challenging and a tough fi ght for the BN this time around. We, the BN elected representatives from the area will have to work harder. I consider Puncak Borneo as a grey area because we really have to work hard in order to win,” said Miro.
Puncak Borneo is considered a semi-urban area due to its close proximity to the state capital. However, it still lacks many basic amenities especially good roads, as well as electricity and treated water supply.
“On top of that, there is an urgent need to improve communications infrastructure there so that the people can participate in digital economy as envisioned by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg,” Miro added.
When contacted, Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah refused to comment except to say that he would leave the matter for the top BN leadership to decide.
At press time, both Dawos and Mambong assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil could not be reached for comment.
In the last parliamentary election in 2013, Dawos won in a three- cornered fight against Willie Mongin of PKR and Dr Dripin Sakoi of STAR, with a majority of 9,721 votes.