Consider giving Bukit Semuja to PBB, suggests Kedup rep
SERIAN: The newly created Bukit Semuja seat should rightfully go to PBB or contested by a BN direct candidate, said Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben yesterday.
Martin, who is also PBB supreme council member and PBB Kedup branch chairman, said PBB enjoyed very strong support in Bukit Semuja, which was mainly carved out of Kedup in the latest redelineation exercise by the Election Commission ( EC).
“With 17 ranting (sub branches) and 3,000 party members already in Bukit Semuja, this shows we are strong there. As the PBB Kedup branch chairman, I request to the top leadership to allocate the seat to PBB.
“Having said that, we will accept whatever decision made by the Chief Minister and party top leadership. If not given to PBB, at least give it to a BN direct candidate, who then can decide which party to join later. I hope the top leadership considers our request.”
Martin made these remarks at the launching of the Rural Electricity Supply ( RES) project for Mongkos area at Balai Babuk Barum, Kampung Bunan Gega yesterday.
The function was officiated at by Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and also attended by Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Communications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
Awang Tengah is also PBB senior vice-president, while Dr Rundi is the State BN and PBB secretary-general.
The open request made by Martin was probably in response to the speech made by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at a leader-meetthe-people session at Kampung Rasau on March 20.
Adenan, who is also State BN chairman and PBB president, had hinted that a direct BN candidate would be fielded in Bukit Semuja due to concerns that intense lobbying among BN components for that seat could weaken BN’s winning chance.
Bukit Semuja is one of the 11 new seats that will debut in the coming state election. Around 48 per cent of the constituency’s over 13,000 voters are Bidayuhs, 20 per cent Chinese, 15 per cent Malays, 12 per cent Ibans and five per cent other races.
On another matter, Martin called the constituents to give BN a bigger majority win in Kedup in the coming state election.
“The state election is coming. I am sure you all have read or heard about our chief minister asking for bigger mandate to lead the state for the next five years. Let’s achieve a big win in Kedup as show of support for Datuk Patinggi Adenan,” said Martin, who has been confirmed to defend Kedup for the second term.