KUCHING: The Bidayuhs will be fully behind the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Sarawak government, says Tebedu assemblyman Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong.
“The majority of the Bidayuhs, who are about 60 per cent rural-based, still need development and it is only through the GPS government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that development can be brought to them.
“For this reason, I strongly believe that the Bidayuhs will be solidly behind GPS,” he told New Sarawak Tribune recently.
He was responding to a recent announcement by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) on its intention to contest in almost all Bidayuh-majority seats in the 12th Sarawak Election.
Manyin, who is also Education, Science and Technological Research Minister, was unfazed and said it was normal for the party and any other party to claim that it had the support of the people.
GPS Bidayuh leaders, he added, had met several times in the past year to discuss problems and strategies with regard to the eight Bidayuh-majority seats.
“All of us are confident we can deliver the eight Bidayuh-majority seats to GPS.
“Of course, we cannot be complacent, we must take any challenge from any party seriously.”
At the same time, Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said any party or individual could stand in any constituency during an election, including PBK.
“I am no soothsayer, so I cannot predict the future or whether PBK would be able to retain their deposits. Let the voters decide.”
The eight Bidayuh-majority seats are Opar, Tasik Biru, Serembu, Mambong, Tarat, Bukit Semuja, Tebedu and Kedup.
