Newly minted MP for Selangau, Baru Bian (above), officiated his first public event - a pre-Gawai celebration - after the recent May 9 general election at his constituency on Saturday night.
The event, which was live-streamed via his Facebook account, saw him being bestowed a ‘warrior accolade’ by his victorious voters.
After his maiden speech at the event, Baru Bian was vested with the Baju Gagong by Penghulu Jerome Juranpang.
According to a PKR source, vesting a VIP with the Baju Gagong is significant as it is an acknowledgement that he is a “warrior” of his people.
The Baju Gagong used to be worn by warrior chiefs during inter-tribal battles as an armour against knife and blowpipe attacks.
Being acknowledged a “modern day warrior” is all the more noteworthy to Baru Bian, an ethnic Lun Bawang, as during the campaign trail he was taunted as “not belonging” to the largely Iban-majority tribes of Selangau.
In his speech, Baru Bian said his election victory was not just a victory for himself.
“It is a victory for the voters of Selangau as well, and for this, we must put in all our strength as a united force for the good of the constituency and nation.
“This victory is also as a result of the initiative of PKR party volunteers and the supporters of Joseph Entulu,” added Baru Bian.
He also said projects which had been earlier slated for Selangau, especially development of infrastructure, such as electricity and water utilities as well as other facilities that could upgrade the living standards of the people will be continued.
Baru Bian also called on voters in Selangau to work together with the new Harapan government at the state and federal level and to embrace the spirit of reformasi.
Baru Bian’s Selangau candidacy came as a last-minute surprise move.
He told the media then he decided to contest in Selangau following requests by the party branch there and after BN’s decision to drop and then sack its incumbent Joseph Entulu.
Baru Bian took on BN’s Rita Sarimah Insol in a straight fight winning by a slim majority of 486 votes.
He polled 11,228 votes to Rita’s 10,7042 votes.
Meanwhile, Selangau lass Debby Alisandra (above) won the Kumang Gawai beauty contest hosted during the event. -Mkini
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