PKR Mas Gading leaders deny turning BN-friendly

Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Mas Gading branch chairman Boniface Willy Tumek and secretary Francis Teron Kadap have categorically denied turning Barisan Nasional ( BN) - friendly.

Boniface and Francis described Mas Gading MP Datuk Anthony Nogeh Gumbek’s recent claim that they had become BN-friendly and would not lend support to their Pakatan Harapan ( PH) comrades in Democratic Action Party ( DAP) as ‘very cheeky and is furthest from the truth’.

While appreciating the term ‘ friendly’ that Nogeh used to describe them, they said it was utterly erroneous to state as if they were prepared to pawn political struggles for mere friendship.

“We are friendly because we do not deploy the politics of stepping on our opponent’s toes unnecessarily. Whilst we are being ‘ friendly’, rightfully to fellow friends and foes regardless of their political backgrounds, we remain steadfast to our political struggles along with our comrades in PH.

“This is to see that the nation is governed equitably and the ‘ rakyat’ ( people) receive their fair share of the country’s wealth, which we find it odd that BN had miserably failed and still fails to fulfil despite having been in power for a good 60- odd years – not to mention several promises which had, unashamedly, been broken many times in certain areas within Mas Gading.

“BN- friendly implies agreement with the political doctrines, the philosophies, the practices and culture of BN – which we do not. It is for this reason that we are in PKR and not in BN,” they said in a joint statement yesterday.

Nogeh was recently quoted as saying that he was expecting at least a three- cornered fight between BN, DAP and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak ( PBDS) Baru in Mas Gading.

“I understand from Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, Mordi Bimol of DAP will stand and maybe Patrick Anek Uren of PBDS Baru. Mordi, according to the people on the ground, has not been moving around while ( Boniface) Willy Tumek and Datuk John Tenewe are BNfriendly; so is Francis Teron. So it looks like PKR may not move around to support DAP,” Nogeh said.

Boniface and Francis said that statement from Nogeh had caused consternation among PKR members in Mas Gading and other areas in Sarawak; quite a few reacted angrily towards them.

“However, I must also point out that personally, I have known Anthony Nogeh for a very long time – since secondary school days right up to today. Despite being on different sides of the political divide, we have maintained very cordial relations and remained good friends. The same is true of Anthony Nogeh and Francis Teron,” Boniface said.

Both men gave their assurance that PKR’s 18- point struggle would remain their target compass and that the bond within PH would be as strong as before ( previously Pakatan Rakyat – now minus PAS) despite some minor setbacks.

“PKR and DAP will support each other to face their common opponents in BN, in whatsoever form they come. Since the last 13th general election (GE13) and state election, we are of the view that the support for PH parties has grown from strength to strength as constituents, especially the younger generation, begin to see that BN has been neglecting most essential issues and leaving promises unattended.

“In the last state election, in Opar particularly, DAP’s supporters had given their support to PKR’s candidate in Francis Teron Kadap. PKR managed to make some breakthroughs in some areas, previously touted as BN strongholds. So, there is no reason to believe that PKR’s Mas Gading branch will allow their comrades in DAP to go alone without their assistance. PKR and DAP will never walk alone.”

Boniface and Francis would like to assure fellow party members in Mas Gading and supporters, particularly those having expressed their wish for a candidate from PKR to contest in Mas Gading in GE14, that they would continue to strive for the ‘rakyat’ in the constituency.

“We have a capable, credible and winnable candidate and we are ready to give a strong challenge to BN.”