Tough task for DAP newbie to unseat PBB veteran in Kapit

Paren (left) during the announcement of DAPs candidates by Chong (right).

SIBU: Paren Nyawi from DAP knows the odds are against him to unseat incumbent Alexander Nanta Linggi for the Kapit parliamentary seat in the general election.

Alexander is a four-term MP from Parti Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) who has been winning by a big majority.

He soundly beat DAP’s Ramli Malaka by a whopping 9,731 votes in the last elections in 2013

Paren’s candidacy was announced by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

“I will try to reduce the majority as much as possible,” said Paren, 37, who has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam.

He worked in Kuala Lumpur as an auditor for 10 years before quitting to contest in the 2016 state election.

His experience in the election where he lost to Ambrose Blikau Enturan by a majority of 3,053 votes had taught him many valuable lessons.

“I have been on the ground for three years now trying to change the mindset of the constituents.

“It is very difficult to meet them due to the large area that needs to be covered.

“Most of the time they are in their longhouses. To go to Kapit town, they would need to travel by boat,” he said.

Paren is a native from Rumah Jarop in Song, which is about one hour by boat to Kapit.

He is hoping for more support from younger voters this time around.

“About 85% of the voters here are Iban followed by the Chinese who mostly reside in Kapit town.

“Most of the voters are senior citizens as the youths are either working or studying outstation.

“If the youths return to vote, I will have a better chance,” said Paren.

The Opposition, he said, had fared badly in previous elections as the elderly voters who live far away from the town are not Internet-savvy.

“The rural voters are not exposed to information so it is rather hard for them to get updates on the latest developments,” he added.

Paren, who joined DAP in April 2015, said if he wins, he wants to bring more development to the constituency which he said is still undeveloped despite state and Federal projects.

“Regardless of who is elected, the person must bring more progress to Kapit so that it will not lag behind other towns,” he said.