MUKAH: PBB is expected to field a Melanau-Christian in the coming Balingian by-election.
This is to fulfil the gentlemen’s agreement forged among the community more than three decades ago.
Balingian PBB senior vice chairman and Mukah MP Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Michael Leo Toyad Abdullah said they would "upkeep the promise" that one of the three elected representatives in the area is to be a Christian from the community.
"We agreed to the gentlemen’s agreement, so we'll always be gentlemen.
The next thing to do is to keep the promise.
"Don't worry. The Melanaus never turn their back on their words," he told reporters after officiating at a BR1M presentation here on Friday.
The Balingian by-election is called after incumbent and former Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud retired from politics on Feb 28, and sworn in as Sarawak's seventh Governor on March 1.
The Election Commission has announced that March 17 is the nomination day and polling day on March 29.
A few names including Taib's eldest son Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, Balingian PBB Branch vice chairman Akit Sebli, engineer Adrian Dolhat and Perlis mufti Dr Juanda Jaya have been speculated to contest on Barisan's ticket. Adrian and Akit are both Christians from Mukah.
Under the mutual agreement among the Melanaus, one of the two state seats namely Dalat and Balingian, or parliamentary constituency has to be represented by a Melanau Christian.
Dr Leo has embraced Islam a few years ago, while Dalat assemblyman Datuk Fatimah Abdullah is also a Muslim.
A stronghold for Barisan, Mukah has about 26,000 voters out of which about 13,000 are in Balingian. About 70% of voters in Balingian are Melanau, 20% Iban and 10% Chinese.
In 2011, Taib won Balingian in a three-corner fight, defeating Suriati Abdullah of PKR and Independent datuk Salleh Jafaruddin by a 5,154-vote majority.
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