PSB says issues raised by Entri are ‘key’, not ‘petty’

MARUDI: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Marudi branch has hit back at Marudi incumbent Datu Dr Penguang Manggil’s insistence that its party candidate Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran stop dwelling on petty issues.

PSB Marudi director of operations Patrick Sibat Sujang, in a statement here yesterday, ridiculed Penguang’s stance while defending Entri.

“It is presumptuous and hilarious indeed for Penguang to accuse Entri of dwelling on petty issues.

“As it is, Entri has been focusing on the fundamental issues besetting the N76 Marudi all these while, and more so during the campaigning period these few days.

“Entri is determined on identifying and discussing key issues that can be addressed appropriately to improve the livelihood of people in Marudi,” he said.

Patrick was responding to Penguang’s statement published on Friday calling on Entri to stop dwelling on petty issues but instead focusing on issues benefiting the people.

Patrick highlighted the need for free access to longhouses and villages, especially during the campaigning period which he claimed Penguang had discouraged the community chiefs (Tuai Rumah) to allow the visits by non- Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidates and their agents to the longhouses.

“That is not a ‘petty issue’ but the fundamental issue of human rights,” he said.

Patrick urged Penguang to issue a public statement to inform all chieftains and community leaders in N76 Marudi to freely allow all candidates and election agents access to the longhouses and villages to display posters and conduct campaign talks as allowed by the election ‘bylaws’.

“Definitely, those involved in any activities are aware of the need to comply with the Covid19 SOPs,” he said while pointing out that Entri’s main issue is that Penguang failed to continue with the rural development.

“In the last five years, Penguang had failed to continue with the rural development projects that Entri had initiated, at the same time failed to implement new significant project despite increased allocation given,” he claimed.

Patrick claimed that Penguang failed to upgrade rural access roads that he promised to implement such as to Long Tabing, Long Jegan, Long Teru and Long Sepiling.

He also claimed that the RM35.5mil allocation to upgrade the Long Tisam road has been withdrawn by Penguang, causing dismay and disappointment among the local people who have to struggle with the muddy road daily.

“Electricity supply - electric poles erected previously in certain areas now strangled by creepers, in other areas, cables were in place, internal wirings complete with meters installed in some longhouses, yet for the (past) five years, Penguang chose not to continue and complete these projects. Why?,” he asked.

Patrick also accused Penguang of failing to connect pipe water to longhouses that urgently need clean water for daily consumption.

He pointed out that in Lutong Baruh longhouse, the water reticulation system had been completed but was never activated.

“The water supply was connected only after Entri intervened by informing and requesting from the relevant authorities. The water supply is still functioning till this day,”he said.

He also claimed that the majority of voters in Marudi has expressed dissatisfaction over Penguang’s leadership style, which to him, displayed arrogance, confrontational and non negotiable stance on issues.

“On the other hand, Entri is a person who listens to people’s grievances and prefers to solve problems through dialogues (aum) and is friendly,” said Patrick.