GE14 | The 31 Sarawak BN candidates contesting in the 14th general election who received their letters of electoral candidacy from their chairperson Abang Johari Abang Openg here today are raring to face the polls, dubbed the ‘mother of all elections’.
For the 15 newcomers, who found themselves being the focus of attention from the media personnel present, their initial nervousness later gave way to their high spirit of enthusiasm and commitment in ensuring a BN victory in the parliamentary seats they are being fielded.
BN candidate for the Mukah parliamentary constituency, Hanifah Hajar Taib, 46, when met, said despite being a newcomer in the political arena, it was not an obstacle for her to strive reaching out to her constituents – the birthplace of her father, Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Hanifah said she always stressed on efforts to strengthen kinship ties as her principle so that her presence in Mukah could be accepted warmly by the locals.
“I don’t deny that I’m still new in the political arena, but with the advice and trust given by my father, I promise to do my best for the sake of the people,” she said when met after the letters of electoral candidacy presentation at the PBB headquarters in Kuching today.
Meanwhile, BN candidate for the Puncak Borneo (formerly Mambong) parliamentary seat Genot Sinel, 56, said he would uphold the spirit and dedication of its incumbent James Dawos Mamit to assist residents, especially in issues relating to the native customary rights land.
“With the trust given, I will work hard to help the residents in Puncak Borneo if they need assistance in terms of related information and guidance so that NCR land issues can be addressed,” he said.
For BN’s youngest candidate, Lukanisman Awang Sauni, 36, who will stand in the Sibuti parliamentary seat, his aspiration was to prove that young people like him could also bring transformation, especially to Sibuti.
“With my 10 years of experience as an officer of the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), I’m sure there is no problem in reaching out to the women, youth, elderly or children to hear their voices and problems,” he said.
Earlier Abang Johari in his speech at the event, said he believed BN would not have problems winning the seats being contested and Sarawak would remain as BN’s stronghold.
Out of the 31 parliamentary seats contested in Sarawak, PBB will contest in 14 seats while Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) will contest seven, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) six and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) four.
The 15 new faces comprised six each from PBB and SUPP, two from PRS and one from PDP, while another 16 candidates are defending their seats. There are also six women candidates in the GE14.
“We are confident BN can 28 or 29 seats in this GE,” added Abang Johari.
The Sarawak state election was held in 2016.
- Bernama
