Village halls in Kedup to be refurbished under 10MP

The Borneo Post

Posted on April 16, 2011, Saturday

SERIAN: Several halls in Kedup will be upgraded in the next five years under the ongoing 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Announcing this yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said these projects are
included in the RM86.8 million allocation to Kedup.

He mentioned this during the meet-the-people session at Bunan Gega, 45 kilometres from
here.

Bunan Gega headman Albert Andrew Ruha, when contacted yesterday, said the refurbishment of the Babuk Barum hall in
the village was approved at the cost of RM200,000.

This hall was the
venue where Muhyiddin officiated at yesterday.

He said allocations were also approved for the Balai Kebudayaan (Cultural Centre) and
the hall at neighbouring Bunan Punok.

BN Win All Bidayuh Seats

Now that the BN has win all the Bidayuh seats, we are hoping that more developments and projects to be implemented.

The Borneo Post

Terbat-Mapu road will be on schedule – Naim

by Peter Sibon. Posted on April 16, 2011, Saturday

SERIAN: Naim Holdings has given an assurance that the RM30 million 9.5km Terbat-Mapu road project would be completed on time.

Naim Holdings chief operating officer Datuk William Wei said the local construction giant had already deployed a full team on the ground to ensure the project would be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Wei added that 36 months would be sufficient to complete the project.

“All work related to the project such as design, survey and set up are already in place,” Wei told the media after the earth-breaking ceremony by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Kampung Mapu, about 40km from here, on Thursday.

He added that land road alignment was ongoing and that 60 per cent had been completed. Once completed, the road would benefit 10 villages in the vicinity and enable villages in the area to be linked to Tebedu area, thus, opening a large tract of land for development.

In his speech, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said the road would provide better linkage among villages along the border. “The government would not promise anything but suffice for us to do and implement projects that would benefit the people,” said Manyin.

He said the road of R3 standard would enable motorists from the area to reach Serian in less than half an hour.

Currently the condition of the road is rough and gravelled and only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles.

Muhyiddin, in his speech, said more  projects and amenities would be implemented in the area as part of the government’s effort to improve the livelihood of the people, especially in rural areas.

Serian MP and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem also spoke at the function. Among those present were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communication Safri Zainuddin, JKR deputy director Cheng Fang Sing, Serian District Officer Sinde Muling and Kedup BN candidate Martin Ben.

Village halls in Kedup to be refurbished under 10MP

Posted on April 16, 2011, Saturday

SERIAN: Several halls in Kedup will be upgraded in the next five years under the ongoing 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Announcing this yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said these projects are
included in the RM86.8 million allocation to Kedup.

He mentioned this during the meet-the-people session at Bunan Gega, 45 kilometres from
here.

Bunan Gega headman Albert Andrew Ruha, when contacted yesterday, said the refurbishment of the Babuk Barum hall in the village was approved at the cost of RM200,000.

This hall was the venue where Muhyiddin officiated at yesterday.

He said allocations were also approved for the Balai Kebudayaan (Cultural Centre) and
the hall at neighbouring Bunan Punok.

Ngundi Kita Andu Iti

Adu iti simua bala kita masu Serian samah-samah muhun ngundi supaya kita dapat tentu masa depan kawasan adup kita sien mah Serian. Majulah Serian demi masa depan anak cucu kita. Kawasan DUN du aduh kaitan dengan bandar Serian si-en mah Tarat, Tebedu dengan Kedup.

Kpg Krusen bamboo band going strong

by Peter Sibon. Posted on April 15, 2011, Friday

STRONG GROUP: Kuak (back, fourth left) with the Kpg Krusen pironcong band. Nicholas is at front, fourth left.

SERIAN: While many villages struggle to maintain their cultural heritage, Kpg Krusen’s traditional pironcong bamboo band has grown from strength to strength.This is thanks to band leader Kuak Saol, 64, who has succeeded in getting Bidayuh youths to join his classes.Pironcong was traditionally played by the Bidayuh community after they finished planting padi.“In the olden days, farmers would play the pironcong with a beautiful melody, especially to entertain each other after a hard day’s work and to call for rain and of course for a bountiful harvest,” Kuak explained.

Nicholas James Kon, 27, is one of Kuak’s many students.“I am glad to learn how to play the pironcong from Uncle Kuak,” he told The Borneo Post at Kpg Krusen some 12km from here, while awaiting the arrival of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang on Tuesday.Nicholas is now part of the 18-strong band, which plays during various occasions including for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Abong Jangew, 74, one of the band’s eldest members, is also a qualified pironcong trainer who has taught the Bidayuh community in Miri how to play the instrument.“Our only hope is for our children to pick up the art of playing this instrument. And we are also glad that people like Kuak are teaching our children our cultural identity, otherwise when we are gone this treasure would vanish as well,” he stressed.Besides teaching the pironcong, Kuak has also trained youths to perform the bilanggi dance and konto, which is a Bidayuh martial art similar to the Malay silat.He is grateful to incumbent Tebedu assemblyman Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong for supporting his efforts.“He is very supportive of our efforts to preserve our culture by donating RM4,000 to our group to make our traditional costumes last year.”

DPM: Vote for opposition equals less devt, no representation

The Borneo Post

Posted on April 15, 2011, Friday

KNOWING THEIR PROBLEM: Muhyiddin (right) looking at a memorandum given to him by a group of people at the function. Looking on is Martin (second right).

SERIAN: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday called on the Bidayuh community not to make a mistake by letting the opposition win in their areas this election. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that such mistake could lead to lack of development and not being represented in the government. As campaigning heats up with polling just a day away, he was concerned that the opposition’s persuasive and emotional style of campaigning will influence the voters not to vote for BN.

“We all have emotions, but do not let your emotions influence which side you want to vote… Choose the current government which has been able to take care of Sarawak,” he said during a ‘Meet-the-People’ session at Bunan Gega, 45 kilometres from here yesterday. Also present were Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, who is Tebedu incumbent, and BN Kedup candidate Martin Ben.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, also took a swipe at the opposition especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Democratic Action Party (DAP). Labelling PKR as ‘Parti Kian Runtuh’ (Crumbling Party), he said many had left it because it does not even practise justice in the party, which was evident during the recent party elections.

As for DAP, he claimed that the party is the most racist and chauvinistic of parties. Because of this, he said BN is still the most suitable coalition to govern Sarawak due to its uniqueness and sheer size. “The opposition has no experience in governing Sarawak. Even their chosen candidate as chief minister has lost in many elections,” he said.

During his speech, he revealed that RM86.8 million has been approved for various projects in Kedup under the 10th Malaysia Plan. He also did his campaigning bit for Martin, by saying that Martin is the best person to represent Kedup in the government.

“He is handsome, but what is important is that he is young and an educated person,” he said. On his overall outlook on Sarawak, he said BN is still strong in most areas of the state. “I see this state election as very important to make sure BN stays in power so that Sarawak can continue to progress and develop on par with other developed states,” he said. Manyin, in his speech, also called on the people to reject PKR which he labelled as ‘Parti Kinabus Rakyat’ (A party that gives hardship).

Also happening concurrently during the function was a corporate social responsibility programme by Telekom Malaysia which presented 280 backpacks to 280 pupils from SK St Jude Bunan.

Govt identifies Sarawakians’ needs for next five years latest!

The Borneo Post

Posted on April 14, 2011, Thursday

SERIAN: The government has identified the needs of the people of Sarawak for the next five years and has drawn up plans to fulfill them, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said in order to ensure that the plans were not stalled or delayed, the people of Sarawak must continue to give their support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state election on Saturday.

“We want the people to give their mandate to us to form the government…and we hope that all races will be represented in the government so that the plans for Sarawak can be implemented.

At the moment, the voters are facing pressure from the opposition. Don’t be influenced,” he said at a meet-the-people session at the Bubuk Baram Bunan Gega Hall, near here today.

He said the government wanted to ensure that Sarawak was more progressive and would develop rapidly in the next five years with better public amenities.

Muhyiddin said the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development had provided an allocation of RM5 billion for the next five years for infrastructure development in Sarawak such as roads, water and electricity supply.

“What is important is to choose a capable government…one that can resolve the people’s problems. We frequently emphasise on people first. Administering a state as big as Sarawak requires experience.

“Opposition parties like Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) frequently criticized the BN previously. When they administer Selangor, there are many problems. What is important is how the existing government raises the people’s living standard,” he said.

He said the PKR now came to Sarawak and contested for 49 seats in the state election this time, besides announcing state PKR chairman Baru Bian as the Chief Minister if the party were to win the election, although Baru had previously lost in three elections.

On the DAP’s aspiration to win in the urban areas, Muhyiddin said the DAP was the most racist party as they only talked about the interest of one particular race.

“They use this sentiment in the urban areas saying that the Chinese are not supporting the BN. I have visited the urban areas, there are positive indications. Don’t be trapped by the opposition campaigns,” he said.

Also present at the function were State Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Datuk Seri Micheal Manyin and the BN candidate for Kedup, Martin Ben. – Bernama

Jabu assures better livelihood for 7 villages in Serian

From The Borneo Post . Posted on April 13, 2011, Wednesday

PLAYING THE ‘PRONCHONG’: Jabu (left) and Manyin (right) trying their hands on the ‘pronchong’ the Bidayuh’s bamboo musical instrument played to welcome special guests to their villages while carrying the ‘tambok’ on their heads, which were presented to them by Krusen village chiefs.

SERIAN: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu has assured better livelihood for seven villages in Serian district when their NCR land will be developed by Salcra soon.

The seven villages are Kpg Krusen, Kpg Piching, Kpg Lanchang, Kpg Janan, Kpg Kakeng, Kpg Labak Tungan and Kpg Sira.

Salcra has identified some 2000 hectares of NCR land in these villages suitable for palm oil plantation.

“Your livelihood will be better off when your NCR land is developed by Salcra,” Jabu told the villages at meet-the-people session at Kpg Krusen some 12km from here yesterday.

Jabu who is also the Minister of Land Development and Salcra chairman also assured that they would get their land titles which are guaranteed under Salcra’s Ordinance.

On the political front, Jabu who is also PBB deputy president urged the Bidayuh to continue to rally behind their paramount leader Dato Sri Michael Manyin to ensure the community will continue to progress.

The six Bidayuh seats are Tebedu, Kedup, Tarat, Bengoh, Tasik Biru and Opar.

“I salute your community under the leadership of Dato Sri Michael Manyin who has been able to unite your community under the BN,” said Jabu. He also advised the Bidayuh community not to be hoodwinked by the opposition especially PKR leaders as they are liars.

“Its leader said it will take over the federal government in September 16, 2008 but it never materialised. So too with the DAP. They only want to deprive the natives of Sarawak of the benefit from NCR land development,” Jabu pointed out.

He hoped the community will continue to support the BN in the April 16 polling day as it will decide their future.

“You may have been enjoying all the amenities such as electricity, water and road but there will be more good things to come if you continue to support the BN as it is now embarking on higher income economy,” added Jabu. Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications and Tebedu incumbent, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said the PKR candidates in Tebedu and Kedup are just like the stepsons of PKR as they have no operation centres where the people could meet them.

“What are they scared about? If we picked them will they serve us?” he asked.

On the contrary, he said his house in Kpg Piching is open for everyone especially during the campaign period.

“I can’t run away. I am always there to listen to your problems,” he assured.

Manyin who is seeking a fourth term, said the Bidayuh community should focus on development as it is still a rural-based community.

“Whatever we have now is still not enough. As the song sang by your very own singer Harry of Acid Rain said, “I kiss you bayuh sade” (literally means my love for you is still incomplete),” said Manyin which was reciprocated approvingly by the large crowd.

PKR candidates in Tebedu and Kedup are Dr. Christopher Kiyui and Lainus Luak respectively.

Kpg Krusen Kranji village chief Paron Langgar assured that his people will support the BN in the coming polling day.

“We have seen our lives getting better now under the BN. So why should we abandoned the BN government when it needs us,” he assured.

Present at the function were Manyin’s wife Datin Sri Mary Manyin, former state secretary and RECODA’s chief executive officer Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, Salcra’s general manager Datu Vasco Sabat Singkang, political secretary to the chief minister John David Nyauh and Serian district officer Sinde Muling.

Give me a chance, says Kedup BN new face

From The Boneo Post . Posted on April 10, 2011, Sunday

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) new face, Martin Ben wants the constituents in the Bidayuh majority seat of Kedup to give him a chance in the April 16 state election. Martin, 49, who is the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Kedup deputy chairman, is facing a four-cornered fight with Belayong Jayang, 52, of the Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Lainus Andrew Luwak, 68, from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and an independent, Amin Banti, 48.

“For me personally, every vote counts. I will try my best with the strong support of the BN and good government policies in place to provide fair development in Kedup,” he told Bernama, here. However, he did not intend to rest on his laurels as the son of a former assistant minister, the late Datuk Michael Ben, who was the state assemblyman for Tebedu, which was later partly redelineated to form the Kedup constituency. While he was of the view that the chances of PBB being returned in Kedup was very good at present, he said the BN machinery could not afford to be complacent.

In countering the native customary rights (NCR) land issue that was basically the opposition standard election fodder, he said Kedup was fortunate because tracts of NCR land were being developed by the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra).

“Apart from some small pockets, most of the areas have been surveyed and issued with titles,” he said, adding that the BN machinery had also gone to the ground to explain some of the negative propaganda spread by the opposition on the matter. As one of the 10 PBB new faces, Martin said it would be a tough act to emulate Kedup incumbent, Frederick Bayoi Manggie whom he described as his “political mentor”. Even though almost 74 per cent of the registered 17,466 voters were Bidayuhs, followed by Chinese (18 per cent) and Malay/Melanau (6.5 per cent), he said.

Development had been equally spread out in all the 108 villages in Kedup. Last month, the presence of the country’s most powerful men at the Sejiwa Senada programme in Serian town, about 65 km, also spoke volumes of Kedup as a BN stronghold.

It went down the annals of local history as the day when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin joined local dignitaries to meet the common folk, who matter the most. Kampung Bunan Punok and Kampung Bunan Gega are two Bidayuh villages in Kedup that can be considered modern kampungs compared to others in the state as these have benefitted from the rural electrification scheme.

Comprising 250 households, the roads in both villages are well paved and they enjoy electricity and water supply through gravity feed besides being served by a health clinic, a primary school and a police station. The nearest secondary school is SMK Tebakang, which is about 15 minutes away.

Meanwhile, farmer Borgia Badas, 50, of Kampung Bunan Punok, recalled that when she was younger the villagers had to travel to Serian by boat and then walked to the village. “Sometimes the journey to Serian can take up to one day but now the roads enable us to transport our produce to sell in Serian more conveniently,” she said, hoping that the government would start to light up the road.

Another farmer, Lawanance Aejore, 34, of Kg Bunan Gega was happy that the government had fulfilled its promises to the people. “What they (the government) promise, they deliver. What we want is just that the government help further in developing the people’s economy here,” he said. Kampung Bunan Gega village chief, Albert Andrew Ruha was happy that Najib had gone to Serian to be close to the ordinary folk like him.

“Since the last time, we had always supported the BN. 

The people here have never been neglected by the government in all aspects of development,” he said. He said due to the remoteness of the village previously, telecommunication was quite a problem until the last few years. “No signal,” he said in comparison to the present situation where his area had good mobile telephone coverage from all the telecommunication companies.  – Bernama

SNAP man spoils BN-PKR face-off

Posted on April 7, 2011, Thursday The Birneo Post

KUCHING: The hope of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to see a straight fight against Barisan Nasional (BN) in Tarat was dashed when a third contender appeared out of the blue five minutes before the end of nomination.

The PKR candidate for Tarat, Peter Ato Mayau and the party’s supporters were initially in very high spirit as they thought that it would be a one-to-one contest against the incumbent Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The confident PKR supporters however were taken back when SNAP candidate Ateng Jeros showed up to file his nomination papers in the nick of time, unlike the other opponents who filed their documents almost as soon as the nomination centre at Siburan district office was opened at 9am.

Ato, a local from Kampung Dunuk, Padawan, who was accompanied by about 100 supporters led by Selangor assemblywoman for Rawamg Wan Pei Nei, was the first to submit his papers at 9am followed by Sagah five minutes later. Ato’s candidacy was proposed by Sanged Dingen and seconded by Alladin Kanang while the proposer for Sagah was Kuntang Sula and Michael Chin Apau, the seconder.

Ateng who came with a handful of SNAP supporters was proposed and seconded by Jiku Nyagoh and Kombet Salung respectively.

When the nomination closed at 10am, returning officer (RO) Wilson Spilak Asui received only one objection from 10 to 11am and no protests were made. Nevertheless, the candidates to contest in Tarat were only announced at 12.20pm.

In the last election, Sagah won the seat by beating Alex Saben Nyipong from SNAP with a 3,256-votes majority. He polled 5,854 votes against Saben. Tarat, which is one of the six Bidayuh predominant state constituencies of Opar, Tasik Biru, Bengoh, Tebedu and Kedup, has a total of 16,352 registered voters where the Bidayuhs accounted for 10,750, Chinese (4,759) Malay/Melanau (771) and the rest are Ibans and others.

The nomination process for Tarat yesterday went smoothly without any incident. “We are very thankful to the supporters from all the contesting parties for their full cooperation throughout the nomination process. We are very grateful for that,” said Spilak.

He described the process as being very peaceful, calm and more of a family affair and he hoped that similar situation would be maintained throughout the campaigning and polling period.

Village chiefs defend Manyin over allegation

by Peter Sibon. Posted on April 8, 2011, Friday

SOLIDARITY: Manyin (fourth left) with some of the village chiefs raising their hands in unison to show their solidarity in defending Tebedu seat for the BN at his residence in Kampung Piching..

SERIAN: Sixty-eight village chiefs in Tebedu constituency have vehemently denied the allegation made by an opposition candidate that Tebedu incumbent Dato Sri Michael Manyin had grabbed 32,779 hectares of land in the district.

Kpg Krusen village chief KK Ajong Dawit said Manyin had in fact assisted his villagers to take back some 5,000 hectares of their land from a Peninsula-based private investor who had tried to acquire the land through dubious means. “Without the assistance of Dato Sri Manyin, we would have lost all our land, leaving nothing for us to farm and other agriculture activities,” Ajong told The Borneo Post at Manyin’s residence in Kampung Piching, some 15km from here, yesterday.

To reciprocate Manyin’s good deed, he said his village would support him (Manyin) to ensure that he retains the seat. Ajong revealed that Manyin had assured the villagers that their land would be properly developed by Salcra soon. “We strongly believe that whatever accusations made by the opposition member is done in bad faith. We strongly condemn such an act.”

Kpg Tepoi village chief KK Najag Nasew commented that Manyin had in fact improved the livelihood of his people in the last 15 years. “Before he was elected as our assemblyman, we have to walk for four hours to reach Tebedu town. But after the road was tar-sealed, it only takes 25 minutes by motorcycles.”

He said whatever land acquired over the years for development, such as the construction of roads, schools and clinics, were duly compensated.

“Not an inch of our land has been taken away by Manyin,” reiterated Najag. The accusation was so serious that village chief of Kpg Kehum Mawang, KK Dewa Bangan, has decided not to allow any opposition to enter his village. “We have put up banners in front of our village to tell the opposition that they are not welcomed,” said Dewa.

Meanwhile, Manyin, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications, said if the opposition were to continue accusing him of such misdemeanour, he would fight back strongly.

“How could I acquire such a large piece of land in Serian. Even Salcra, which has been operating in this district for the last 30 years, has only managed to develop 11,000 hectares for oil palm,” said Manyin.

An opposition candidate had posted in his Facebook page that Manyin had acquired the land to be sold to Taiwan National University for the cultivation of hill paddy. “That’s a total lie and there’s no truth to it. If he continues to do that and try to hit me below the belt, then he should be ready to face the consequences.”

On the state election, Manyin said the four-cornered fight in Tebedu was a good sign that democracy is healthy in the country.

“In any democratic country, anyone is free to contest and debate on issues that can improve the livelihood of the people. But don’t use personal attacks on your opponents. I have been a politician for the last 15 years, and I never hit my opponents below the belt.”

For the April 16 polls, Manyin is up against Dr Christopher Kiyui of PKR, Anthony Nais (SNAP) and Kipli Ale (Independent).

Show appreciation for development – Tebedu incumbent

From the Borneo Post

Posted on April 7, 2011, Thursday

FOUR-CORNERED FIGHT: Manyin (third right) and other candidates raising their hands in solidarity after the nomination in Serian in the presence of the Minister of Plantation industries and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (right). Seen in the line-up are Dr Kiyui (second right), Nais (second left) and Kipli (left).

SERIAN: Tebedu incumbent Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said voters in the constituency must appreciate what the BN government has brought to the area in the past 15 years.

According to him, currently most of the villages in Tebedu constituency have electricity, water and road.

“This is the process of democracy and let the people decide who is the best.

If the people really want to say thank you to what we have done here, they should translate that into votes.

“Our focus has been to provide the basic amenities. But in the future, the people’s needs would change.

This is what they look for in a ‘wakil rakyat’. That this person will be able to move the people forward,” Manyin told The Borneo Post at the nomination centre at Serian new district office here yesterday.

Manyin pointed out that PKR could not accuse Umno of its weaknesses without realising its own.

“PKR is controlled by only one family where the father is the advisor, the mother the president and the daughter one of the vice presidents. So the people should realise this and reject it as it doesn’t look at the state’s interest,” added Manyin.

As such Manyin appealed to the people to continue to support Sarawak based political parties in the BN that had been able to provide for the people. Tebedu constituency, which has 68 villages, is now reaping the fruits of development through the BN.

Manyin is facing a fourcornered fight in the April 16 election, namely against PKR, SNAP and an independent candidate.

Manyin’s proposer was Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot and his seconder, political secretary to the chief minister, John David Nyauh. All the other three candidates are first-timers.

PKR’s Dr Christopher Kiyui, 47, of Kpg Taee is banking on the Bidayuhs to change the government that he alleged had not done enough for the people especially on NCR land in Serian.

“We are looking at the bigger picture so that Sarawak will have much more autonomy. We will also fight for better oil royalty from the current five per cent,” he said.

Dr Kiyui was optimistic that he would prevail against the incumbent as the people he met have voiced their dissatisfaction over the present state government. He added that PKR would also fight for better deals in all sectors such as education and the civil service.

“However, it is very sad that SNAP is not giving us the chance to have a one-to-one fight with the BN.

SNAP is practising blinkered politics as it only stresses the interests of the Dayaks,” added Dr Kiyui.

He accused SNAP of stressing on the ‘Ketuanan Dayak’ that did not include other races in the party’s struggle.

SNAP’s Anthony Nais, 49, from Kpg Lanchang Sijo however stressed that Dayak’s rights is his party’s main agenda.

He hoped that people would vote for him as his party had been fighting for the Dayak’s cause ever since its inception in the early 60’s. “Our main aim is to unite the Dayaks who are very much divided.

With the revival of SNAP, we hope that the Dayaks will come back and support us,” he said. When asked his chances of winning, he replied: “I leave my fate to God.”

Nais, a businessman, however, was unhappy with PKR as it saw it as undermining its chance to wrest the seat from the BN.

“We fail to come to an agreement. Otherwise, we would have a much better chance to win in a straight fight but we believed we have a better chance as we are the original party from Sarawak and I join the contest to win,” Nais said.

As for Kipli Ale, 37, he just wanted to try his luck as he said he had no way to win against a big gun like Manyin.

“I know I can’t win this election but I want to provide an alternative to the people as they want to see change here,” he said without elaboration.

Kipli, a van driver from Tebedu Bazaar, said he would target certain villages during the nineday campaign period. In the last state election, Manyin polled 6,107 votes against Peter Runin of SNAP, who garnered 1,851 votes.

Martin uses discord to score points

From The Borneo Post

Posted on April 7, 2011, Thursday

OPTIMISTIC: Martin greets his supporters sitting outside the compound of Serian Council in the presence of PBB Kedup youth chief Jofaizal Entup.

SERIAN: PBB’s new face for Kedup, Martin Ben would not underestimate his opponents, especially PKR and SNAP, but would use their discord as his main weapon to win handsomely for BN. “It is a marriage of convenience as they are fighting openly in the election. So the chance for BN to win is good. We are working extra hard to ensure BN win convincingly,” Martin told reporters at the nomination centre at Serian council office here yesterday.

He was grateful to Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot Jame who had promised to assist during the campaign period. “I am also thankful to BN party members who have been very helpful. We are fighting this battle as one party,” he said.

Martin, 49, is facing a four-cornered fight in Kedup. The other three candidates are Sylvester Belayong Jayang, 52, of SNAP, Lainus Andrew Luwak, 68, of PKR and Amin Banti, 48, an independent. Martin was earlier accompanied to the nomination centre by former Kedup assemblyman Frederick Bayoi Manggie, PBB Kedup vice chief Alexander Ganyang and PBB Kedup information chief Bernard Lanat.

Serian, My Birth Place

This blog dedicated to my beloved place of birth Serian