Leave Mas Gading to PBDSB, Anek tells PH

KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) has made it clear it will not compromise with Pakatan Harapan on its decision to contest in Mas Gading.

Its deputy president Patrick Anek Uren said the party was firm with its stand to field a candidate in this parliamentary constituency (Mas Gading) in the coming general election.

He said while PBDSB agreed that there should be a one- on- one contest against Barisan Nasional in every constituency, DAP or PKR should leave Mas Gading to PBDSB.

He said PBDSB was willing to compromise on other Bidyauhmajority seats of Serian and Puncak Borneo.

“No party, not even DAP, can claim they have a better chance of winning, including in Mas Gading.

“But as far as I’m concerned, DAP or PKR should not contest in Mas Gading because we will give way to them to contest in other Bidayuh-majority seats.

“DAP should be contesting in Serian and PKR in Puncak Borneo. I think this is a good deal,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Anek said except for Lubok Antu, PBDSB would not contest in seats traditionally given to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

He said PBDSB was eyeing Lubok Antu because one of the state seats is currently held by UPP.

“We are targeting mainly Dayak- majority seats that are traditionally given to SUPP or UPP, and seats that are being held by BN incumbents who have openly supported Syariah or the Hudud Bill.

“Engkilili is one of the state constituencies under Lubok Antu and is currently held by UPP. PBDSB will field a candidate to contest there,” he said.

Anek said although the party had announced Rapelson Richard Hamit as its potential candidate in Puncak Borneo, it might give way to PKR which is likely to field Willie Mongin.

“Willie is already very popular in the area and he did quite well in the last parliamentary election.

“Unless he opts not to contest in Puncak Borneo, we will not field any candidate there,” he said.

Asked to comment on the party president Cobbold John Lusoi’s announcement that PBDSB would contest in 17 seats, Anek answered: “I think he just try to scare the bats.”

He said 17 was not a certainty, but a maximum of five would be more practical for PBDSB.