Sarawak National Party have only themselves to blame for their disastrous performance in the recent state elections, said Ba' Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian.
This was the view expressed by Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian in response to SNAP president Edwin Dundang’s criticism of the former’s political disposition in the runup.
According to Bian, going into last weekend’s state elections, Sarawak PKR was ‘well prepared’ and ‘knew the feelings’ of the people, unlike SNAP.
“We are consistent with our stand from the beginning that they (SNAP) were not active on the ground.
“We told them we were already well prepared and we knew the feelings of the people.
“But they (SNAP) did not want to accept our advice, so they insisted on contesting in 27 seats…they even wanted to contest in 40 seats.
“The outcome or the results of the election is proof of what we have been saying all the while to them,” said Bian who is the newly elected Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.
Yesterday Dundang had slammed PKR, blaming the peninsular-based party for its defeats.
Dundang claimed PKR had targeted SNAP as more of a political opponent than the Barisan Nasional.
“Given the ferocity of the attack by PKR on SNAP, it was hardly surprising that the party had to fight the election virtually alone.
“This shabby treatment by PKR is completely uncalled for,” Dundang reportedly said.
SNAP lost its deposits in all 27 seats except in Pakan.
EC must investigate
Responding to Dundang, Bian said it was not right for SNAP to blame PKR for their defeat.
“If they were in agreement with us and contested in four seats, they could have won. Now, they lost, they blame other people except themselves.
“For us, we are not blaming them. We are only blaming money politics and our own weaknesses,” said Bian adding that the party was only just begining to get a ‘clearer’ picture of the extent and spread of money politics in the recent election.
He said said several PKR candidates have made statements regarding rampant money politics.
“On Monday in my constituency an auntie revealed she received RM100 before the election and promised another RM200 after election.
“She came to our office asking where she could claim or get the balance.
“That is very obvious. Now I hear it is happening every where,” he said, giving another example of one Tuai Rumah who admitted receiving RM10,000.
“We are now challenging the Election Commission (EC) to seriously look into these reports and investigate them,” he said, adding that the least the EC should do is listen to the complaints and make sure that it does not happen again.
He also urged the police to investigate the complains.
“If there are any offences, if they broke the law then police should take action. Because if this goes on, it will look like there is no democracy and fairness in the whole democratic process,” said Bian who is a native customary rights (NCR) land lawyer.
NCR fight
PKR won three seats – Ba’ Kelalan (Bian), Batu Lintang (See Chee How) and Krian (Ali Bijau) in the recent state elections.
The outcome of Senadin (Dr Micheal Yeo) is being heavily protested after Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) won the seat by 68 postal votes.
Meanwhile both Bian and See, PKR state information chief, who are partners in Baru Bian and Associates said they will continue fighting on NCR issues.
“We promise the people and our voters that we will pursue cases involving NCR land in the state assembly.
“That is our main focus which we put in our manifesto.”
Bian said that one of the things that they will propose to the state government is the setting up of Land Commission.
“Although we are standing now on the other side of the assembly, we want to suggest and propose the setting up of the Land Commission, and I hope our proposal will be accepted by the government,” he said.
“If adopted, the commission will be independent and neutral,” he said at a special gathering to celebrate his and See’s electoral victories.
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