Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) assemblyperson for Ba’Kelalan Baru Bian admitted today he and two of his colleagues, Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How and Krian assemblyperson Ali Biju, have been enticed to join Barisan Nasional some time before the last sitting of the dewan undangan negeri in an attempt to weaken PKR.

“They told us that the three of us had a better future with BN than with Pakatan Rakyat. But we have rejected their offer because we believe our struggle is with PKR and Pakatan,” said Baru, who is state  chairperson for PKR.

He was asked to comment on speculation that Ali would join BN in after he was seen in the company of BN leaders giving away prizes.

“I know that he has been enticed to join BN, so have I and See Chee How and many others. But our stand is clear that our struggle is with PKR.

NONE“As far as our discussions with Ali (left) are concerned, Ali will remain with PKR unless he changed his stand yesterday,” he said.

Baru described the enticement to join BN as an attempt to weaken  support for the party and at the same time cause confusion and suspicion among their supporters.

“BN has been doing that for some time, because they know we are gaining strength.

“We know each other very well and we are focused on our struggle in PKR. We have not achieved that political objective. We cannot do better than this. What else do you want?

“The people of Sarawak are aware of our struggle, and in each election there was a surge of support for PKR.

“With the support of the rakyat, Pakatan may form the next state government after the next state election,” he said.

‘BN had big problem with candidate for Saratok’

See, who was present at the media conference, said that BN had a big problem in looking for a good candidate for Saratok in the last parliamentary election.

They knew that Ali was the best man, but Ali spurned them.

Similarly in the coming state election, BN would face a candidate problem in Krian.

“That is why they want Ali,” said See, who is State PKR vice-chairperson.

In the 2011 state election, Ali defeated Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party’s deputy president and assistant minister Peter Nyarok by a majority of 2,090 votes.

Besides Krian, PKR won Batu Lintang (a stronghold of Sarawak United People’s Party)  and Ba’Kelalan, while its Pakatan Rakyat partners DAP won 12 seats.

In the May 2013 parliamentary election, SPDP president William Mawan Ikom edged Ali by a majority of 2,081 votes.

His victory was due to the Malay support coming from Kalaka constituency, but in the Krian constituency, Mawan lost by more than 2,400 votes to Ali.