PETALING JAYA: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today welcomed Ali Biju’s decision to withdraw his candidacy for the Krian seat in the upcoming Sarawak state elections.
“For me, the sacrifice made by Ali is significant,” the former prime minister said.
He commended the Saratok MP for respecting the camaraderie that had been established between Bersatu and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“This includes understanding that Perikatan Nasional (PN) represented by Bersatu will participate in the 15th general election (GE15) in Sarawak,” Muhyiddin said.
On Monday, Ali, who is Sarawak Bersatu vice-chairman, submitted his name as an independent candidate to defend the seat he had held since 2011.
He did this following Bersatu’s decision to sit out the Sarawak polls and give their full support to GPS.
The party quickly responded that Ali could face disciplinary action for breaking ranks and contesting in the state elections as an independent candidate.
In a statement today, Ali, who is also deputy energy and natural resources minister, said he had been “advised” by Muhyiddin to drop out in the interest of the national political cooperation framework between PN and GPS.
The sudden turn of events seems to have stemmed from GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg’s comments at a press conference yesterday, in which he expressed disappointment over Ali’s decision to stand as an independent candidate.
Abang Johari said Muhyiddin had promised that action would be taken against Ali.
Ali was previously a state PKR leader but left the party following the Sheraton Move in February 2020.
Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan also thanked Ali for withdrawing his candidacy.
“This withdrawal is a sacrifice by Ali and Bersatu to ensure that GPS wins comfortably in the Sarawak state elections,” he said in a Facebook post.
Sarawak goes to the polls on Dec 18, with early voting taking place on Dec 14. - FMT
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