Community leaders want Ahmad Lai to be re-nominated for Sibuti
MIRI: Although the Election Commission ( EC) has just officially announced the polling date for the 14th general election ( GE14), Barisan Nasional ( BN) has not announced who will be its candidates.
Like the hot seat of Miri parliamentary constituency, the people on the ground are still playing the guessing game while in Sibuti, the people are wondering if the incumbent Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang will be re-nominated.
An Iban community leader in charge of Miri District, Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim, described Ahmad Lai as a good leader who has a heart for the people.
“He is looking after the people’s interest in Sibuti constituency. He is also always there to assist people in need.”
Commenting on rumours that Ahmad Lai had health problem, he said from his observation, Ahmad Lai is still able to serve the constituents.
Thus, he would give his full support for him to be re-nominated for the Sibuti seat, he added.
Concurring with Wilson was Penghulu Haw Min Wai, a Chinese community leader for Niah, who wanted Ahmad Lai to be fielded in the constituency again.
He believed under Ahmad Lai’s leadership, the people in the constituency, covering Lambir and Bekenu state constituencies, could expect more development and transformation.
For councillor Keith Chin of Miri City Council ( MCC), Ahmad Lai has been consistent and persistent when dealing with residents of Taman Tunku and Lusut villages.
“He is down to earth, conscientious and diligent when dealing with the people.
“In the past year and half, after I was assigned to the MCC residents committee (RC) together with co- chairman Cr Abdullah Jaini for RC Zone 1 Taman Tunku and Lambir, Datuk Ahmad Lai attended to the f lash flood along Jalan Sibu/Jalan Daro caused by the shallow waters in Sg Dalam.
“He, in fact, attended dialogues with the RC from Zone 1 and went to the ground one night when the flash flood caused considerable erosion and flood waters in November of 2017.”
He also said with Ahmad Lai’s assistance, the people in Lusut and Lambir had been able to organise the Pesta Mardi Gras Lambir, a community carnival showcasing ethnic cultures and dances.
He pointed that the latest of Ahmad Lai’s commitment to the MCC was an allocation of RM350,000 for building a community park at Taman Tunku.
“It is hoped that the fullest support be given to Datuk Ahmad Lai to continue his work in the Bekenu and Lambir constituencies through maximum allocation and attention from the federal government.”
Ahmad Lai first won the Sibuti seat in the 2008 general election when he defeated Dr Michael Teo of Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) with a majority of 3,648 votes.
Then during the 13th general election in 2013, 69-year- old Ahmad Lai successfully defended the seat against Parti Islam Se- Malaysia ( PAS) new comer Muhammad Zaid Tandang with a thumping majority of 6,066 votes.
For the GE14, Sibuti is expected to see a three- cornered fight between BN, PKR and PAS.