PBB leader commends MPs for putting BN first by agreeing to step aside

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional incumbents who willingly step down to make way for new leaders have demonstrated loyalty by putting the coalition’s interest above all else.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof lauded its five parliamentary incumbents for abiding with the party’s decision to go with new faces for the general election.

He said the five incumbents – Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit (Puncak Borneo), Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad (Mukah), Datuk Wahab Dolah (Igan), Datuk Norah Abdul Rahman (Tanjong Manis) and Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang (Sibuti), are exemplary leaders that have made lots of contributions to the party, people and state.

“They have chosen to step down and make way for new leaders to continue our struggle in serving the nation.

“These leaders have demonstrated strong unity and loyalty, putting the party’s interest above their own, which has been the strength of PBB, which is Sarawak Barisan’s backbone,” Fadillah said in a statement.

Sarawak Chief Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced its candidates at PBB headquarters yesterday, naming 15 new faces and retaining 16 incumbents including Fadillah for the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency.

PBB will contest in 14 seats, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (seven), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (six) and Progressive Democratic Party (four).

PBB will field six new faces namely Genot Sinel for Puncak Borneo, Yusuf Abdul Wahab (Tanjong Manis), Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (Igan), Hanifah Taib (Mukah), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti) and Robert Lawson Chuat, who will replace Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in Betong.

Robert, formerly Bukit Saban assemblyman made way for Uggah in the 2016 state polls.

Fadillah expressed gratitude to the Barisan leadership for his renomination, saying that he will continue the good work of the state government in his constituency.

“I hope for strong support from the voters to continue the development agenda in Petra Jaya for another five years,” said the three-term MP.

Fadillah, who is also Works Minister, said among the planned development programmes in the constituency included the building of more affordable housing, creation of employment and business opportunities, as well as enhancing education and human capital development.

Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency, a Malay-majority urban seat in north Kuching, has been a Barisan fortress.

The seat will remain a tough nut to crack for the Opposition especially considering Abang Johari is the assemblyman for Satok, one of the three state seats under Petra Jaya.

Barisan also controls the other two seats of Demak Laut and Pantai Damai.

In the 2013 general election, Fadillah polled 29,559 votes to defeat PKR’s Ahmad Nazib Johari in a straight fight with a 21,443-vote majority.

Five years earlier, Fadillah garnered 19,515 votes against Mohamad Jolhi of PKR to win in a straight fight with a majority of 14,397 votes.