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MIRI – Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) is set to face a double workload in defending their seats in Miri and Sibu, following the move by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) to field former mayor Datuk Lawrence Lai here.
Miri’s incumbent PKR MP Dr Michael Teo today said he expects a strong challenge from Lai.
Speaking to The Vibes, Dr Teo, who is set to defend the seat, said that he is already facing a very strong challenge from GPS, and state opposition party PSB coming into the fray will make the endeavour even tougher.
“My workload has doubled. It was hard, but now it becomes doubly hard.
“The GPS-SUPP teams are harping on Sarawak PH’s alleged ineffectiveness in Parliament, and now PSB is also using that same line of attack.
“We in Sarawak PH will be compiling our report cards to be tabled to the public.
“I will be compiling a list of my own achievements on what I had done for Miri during the last term.
“I have been central in getting federal ministries to bring in projects worth between RM10 million to RM20 million in Miri.
“I have also given grants of about RM10 million to local organisations and community bodies and schools.
“I will show all these to the voters soon,” he said when interviewed.
Dr Teo, who is defending Miri for his third-term as a PH-PKR candidate, said PSB has the right to contest in Miri, but that will only split the votes for the opposition.
“Double work now, but we in Sarawak PH-PKR still have a good chance in Miri,” he said.
Yesterday, former Miri mayor Datuk Lawrence Lai announced he will contest the parliamentary seat against SUPP and PKR.
Lai, a senior lawyer by profession and PSB vice-president, had told reporters here that he is offering himself as a candidate, as he believes that PSB can serve as an effective check and balance at both state and national levels.
Formerly with SUPP, Lai served six years as Miri mayor when he was with the GPS component party.
He officially joined PSB earlier this year and was appointed as PSB’s GE15 election coordinator for northern Sarawak.
Lai will face Dr Teo and a possible new face from SUPP in the form of Miri city councillor Jeffery Phang.
Dr Teo had, for the past two general elections, defeated SUPP, which was still under Barisan Nasional (BN) then.
GPS was formed three years ago after BN lost power in the 14th general election.
Miri has up to 143,000 voters, including roughly 57,000 first-time voters. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022