Dr Annuar: Vital for BN to combine its strengths towards reclaiming Sibu
SIBU: It is crucial for Barisan Nasional ( BN) to focus on combining its strengths to wrest back Sibu seat from the opposition in the coming election.
Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee made this statement yesterday, following the naming of Dato Andrew Wong as the BN- SUPP candidate for Sibu, which had been under the opposition for two terms.
“The lobbying for the candidacy has been going on for more than a year. Now, we ( BN) should focus on the war to wrest back the (Sibu) seat,” he said.
OnChiefMinisterDatukPatinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement that International Trade and E- Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would step down after the current term, Dr Annuar viewed this as ‘a positive development’.
Soon Koh is Bawang Assan assemblyman and also the president of United People’s Party ( UPP).
“I take is as ( something) very positive because we know that one of the issues is the candidacy of Andrew Wong. Therefore with that announcement, there should not be any more issue because it is already an assurance from the Chief Minister, who announced that Dato Sri Wong would retire after seeing out the current term.
“Hopefully with this announcement, a young leader would be groomed to take over Bawang Assan constituency.
“Most importantly, there should not be any more issue among party members and the public regarding the father and son (Soon Koh and Andrew) being in the same constituency – this should be put to rest,” added Dr Annuar, who is also a vice-president in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB).
On Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian’s resignation as a senator to contest in Stampin in the coming parliamentary election, Dr Annuar regarded this as ‘a move in the right direction’ – one that would not subject Dr Sim to the perception of him ‘wanting to hold too many position in the government’.
At present, Dr Sim is Batu Kawah assemblyman.
On the prospect of BN winning the Sibu seat this time around, Dr Annuar commented: “With all the issues resolved, I hope the people would give BN a chance this time.”
The Sibu parliamentary area consists of up of Nangka, Pelawan and Bawang Assan state constituencies.