Gira confirms defending Tamin for GPS, says invited to receive ‘watikah’
SIBU: Tamin incumbent Christopher Gira Sambang has confirmed that he will defend the seat for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the coming state election.
When contacted yesterday, Gira said he has received an invitation to attend a ceremony on Dec 3 where GPS candidates will be presented with their ‘watikah’ (credentials) for the polls.
He said GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will present the credentials during the ceremony to be held at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters in Kuching.
On his potential challengers for the seat, Gira, 51 said he had heard about Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) voicing their intention to field candidates in Tamin.
“But I do not know the names of their candidates,” he added.
It has previously been reported that PSB is expected to field former Selangau MP Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who was also formerly three-term Tamin assemblyman.
PBK meanwhile has named Muda Prinching as its pick for the state seat.
Gira made his electoral debut in 2016, defeating independent candidate Dr Ali Puji and PKR’s Simon Joseph Usau with a majority of 2,085 votes.
On his election campaign, Gira assured the people that his team will adhere to the standard operating procedures set by the Election Commission.
“The machinery will be mobilised and they will move in a small group,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gira said a total of 1,802 projects costing around RM355 million were implemented in Tamin between 2016 and 2021.
He said from the amount, 1,797 projects totalling RM131 million were funded by the state government while five projects costing RM224 million were funded by the federal government.
“From the state government, 10 were under people’s project with a cost of RM86 million, 226 under Rural Transformation Programme (RM30 million), 641 under minor rural project (RM11.5 million) and 920 under Sarawak Poor Housing Improvement Programme (RM3.5 million).
“The five projects funded by the federal government were the upgrading of Stapang water filtration plant and pipe connection costing RM117 million, construction of new SMK Selangau (RM88 million), upgrading of SK Sungai Sepiring (RM11.16 million), construction of Selangau Fire Station (RM5 million), and Selangau health clinic haemodialysis centre (RM3 million),” he added.