PDP veep urges Ali to give way to GPS in Krian
MIRI: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president Datu Dr Penguang Manggil is calling on Energy and Natural Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Ali Biju not to defend his Krian state seat in the upcoming Sarawak election.
Penguang said this would be a ‘gesture of solidarity and in the spirit of brotherhood’ to write a new chapter in the political landscape of Sarawak and in the Krian constituency which Ali won on a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket in the 2016 state polls.
“Since Datuk Ali is the MP for Saratok and at the same time holding a deputy minister post, it is only wise that he should give way to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he said.
Ali, a two-term Krian assemblyman, defeated Kilat Beriak and Datuk Peter Nyarok Entrie, in 2016 and 2011 respectively.
Kilat and Nyarok both represented Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) which later simplified its name to Progressive Democratic Party.
Ali is now a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) – an ally of GPS at the federal level but not at state level.
Penguang, who is Marudi incumbent, said he felt compelled to bring up the issue of the candidacy for the Krian seat as Ali has yet to publicly speak out on the matter, unlike his Bersatu compatriot Datuk Willie Mongin who is Puncak Borneo MP.
Willie, who is Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister, had last week pledged to support GPS candidates in the Serembu, Mambong and Tarat seats which make up his parliamentary constituency.
“It is only wise that the incumbent for Krian should show the same kind gesture not to contest the Krian seat, as by doing so is against the very basic understanding upon which the brotherhood between PN and GPS was established,” Penguang said.
Political observers have been keeping a close eye on political developments in Krian, especially on whether Ali would defend his seat.
GPS has insisted it would be contesting all 82 seats in the state election.