GE13: Dr Tiki will be treated as opposition, says upset Manyin

SERIAN: Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is an opposition in Mas Gading, PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said, adding that Dr Tiki would be treated like one.

“If he is Barisan-friendly, then support Barisan,” an upset Manyin said here yesterday, responding to questions on Dr Tiki’s move to stand as an Independent.

“How can he stand as (an) Independent and make such claims, saying he is (Barisan) friendly? If he wins, he is not Barisan.

“It’s as simple as that. He will be treated like an opposition. He is not using our symbol and he does not have any authorisation from Barisan leaders,” he said.

Manyin described Dr Tiki’s candidacy as “unfortunate”, adding that the move would split the Bidayuhs.

Dr Tiki, who has served Mas Gading for three terms, left Barisan component party SPDP following a leadership tussle. He was subsequently dropped as a Barisan candidate.

Manyin said the Bidayuhs had, “until this general election”, been enjoying a “golden age” of recognition from Barisan Nasional in the state and Federal governments.

“Why do I say this? It’s because we more or less have overshot our quota. At the Federal level, we have two deputy ministers and one chairman of the National Service Training Council (Dr Tiki). That means of the three MPs we have, all were given important portfolios.

“At the state level, we have one full minister and two assistant ministers, out of six assemblymen. How much more recognition can we get? On top of that, practically all of the Bidayuh villages have roads, electricity and water supply; except for maybe two or three (that have not).”

Dr Tiki, Manyin added, should not always blame others.

“We need to look at ourselves first,” he said.

Manyin said Mas Gading voters should vote according to “party symbol” rather than the candidate. He declined to comment further on the matter. The Star

Manyin was speaking to reporters at the Serian District Office, after the close of nominations. He was the proposer for the Serian Barisan’s candidate Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, who is a Bidayuh.

Riot is facing a three-cornered contest at the semi-rural constituency, about 50km from Kuching. The other candidates are DAP’s Edward Luak and STAR’s Johnny Aput.