PKR brushes off SNAP threat

An unprecedented number of candidates contesting in Bidayuh-majority seats means handing BN a win on a silver plate.

KUCHING: If the number of candidates vying to be elected representatives are any measure, then Sarawak has surely arrived at political maturity.

For the first time in its political history the state election is seeing multi-cornered fights in almost all areas including in all six Bidayuh-centric localities.

The trend of 2006 where straight fights in these Bidayuh seats were the order of the day are now things of the past.

Unfortunately, with this political maturity also comes the greater possibility that divided votes could well ensconce beleagured Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud safely in his seat.

While independents are being dismissed as “irrelevant” in almost all areas, Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) – with its war against PKR – is expected to drown the opposition’s assault in the Bidayuh and rural seats in the April 16 polls.

Both PKR and SNAP have posted candidates in all six Bidayuh seats.

In Tasik Biru, diplomat and well-acknowledged Bidayuh son John Tenawi will take on incumbent Peter Nansian (Barisan Nasional), who is a state minister, and SNAP’s Frankie Jurem.

Tenawi, when contacted, was unperturbed by SNAP’s candidacy. He said PKR had greater credibility.

Alluding to SNAP’s much touted “rebranding” exercise, Tenawi said: “I don’t see them as a threat. All this rebranding is nonsense. What is there to rebrand when you have no substance.

“PKR now has a track record of good governance. Look at Penang. Sarawak too needs to have a CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) policy.

“PKR is a sound party… Pakatan Rakyat is a better alternative for Sarawak.”

Tenawi has classified SNAP as simply “irrelevant” in this defining state polls.

Yesterday immediately after submiting his nomination papers in Marudi, SNAP president Edwin Dundang has lashed out at PKR, claiming that it failed to keep its promise.

Dundang was refering to his own seat which he claimed was to have been a straight fight based on an earlier agreement with PKR.

But SNAP official today said that Dundang’s frustration was not “limited” to Marudi.

More multi-cornered fights

Meanwhile, four-cornered fights are set for Opar, Bengoh, Tebedu and Kedup.

In Bengoh, PKR’s Willie Monggin will take on his uncle incumbent Dr Jerip Susil.

Bengoh is among the seats that the Election Commission recently identified as a “grey area” for BN.

Susil is from BN-SUPP. The four-cornered fight will also see SNAP’s Richard Magaret and an independent, Wejok Tomik, a lawyer, in the fray.

At 36, Monggin is the youngest Bidayuh candidate in the contest. Tomik is 37.

But the biggest action is set for Tebedu.

Minister Micheal Manyin, 66, takes on newcomer Dr Christopher Kiyui from PKR.

Manyin is going for his third term as Tebedu representative. In the way of a straight fight, however, is SNAP’s Anthony Nais.

Meanwhile, the other three-cornered fight is Tarat. - FMT