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MIRI – Several veteran Sarawak PKR members in the state do not agree with the decision by the party’s leadership not to contest in the coming Jepak state by-election.
Among those who are unhappy with the no-contest decision are senior members who have been with PKR since its formative years.
A veteran PKR frontliner, who asked not to be identified, told The Vibes today there are those who want to see the party fielding a candidate in Jepak.
“The final decision was made by state PKR leaders after consultation with national leaders.
“This final decision is not a popular one, especially among those very senior PKR members who had been with the party since its early years.
“It looks like the state leadership today thinks differently from those of two or three decades ago,” said the veteran.
Asked if there will be any serious split in Sarawak PKR over this latest issue on Jepak, the veteran said, “not likely since Jepak is only a by-election”.
State PKR chairman Roland Engan on October 9 said the party’s national leadership in Putrajaya had endorsed the decision by the state PKR to stay out of the Jepak by-election.
Parti Aspirasi Sarawak, Parti Sedar Rakyat and Parti Bumi Kenyalang had so far said they would field a candidate in Jepak to take on GPS.
However, only PBK has confirmed it is fielding Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, 42, a former policeman for the seat.
Stevenson had contested in 2021, also in Jepak, but lost his deposit.
Aspirasi had said it would field a candidate but has yet to name one.
Its president Lina Soo had said that her party has already identified a local in Bintulu to challenge the ruling state coalition.
The Jepak seat fell vacant on September 15 after the demise of incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
GPS has since confirmed that its component party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu will field the candidate for the state constituency.
Nominations for the Jepak by-election will be on October 21, early voting on October 31 and polling on November 4. – The Vibes, October 11, 2023
