Manyin confident of delivering all Bidayuh seats in next polls
KUCHING: We will deliver all eight!
This is the spontaneous response from Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong when asked on the fate of the predominantly Bidayuh seats come the next state election.
Manyin, who is Education, Science and Technological Research Minister, is the incumbent Tebedu assemblyman, one of today’s top Bidayuh politicians.
His Tebedu state seat is one of the eight Bidayuh-majority seats.
The seven other seats are Kedup, Bukit Semuja, Tarat, Mambong, Serembu, Tasik Biru and Opar.
“Yes, we can deliver all the seats,” he said when met during Gawai Dayak open house at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) centre here yesterday.
“For us to win the seats we must have the spirit to win or else it will be difficult.
“And as I see it today, we have that spirit. We have that confidence and the Bidayuhs are not easily swayed because they know between merely promising and the ability to deliver.
“That said, Bidayuhs are welcome to stand in the coming state election. Just be reminded, if you are not in GPS, you have us to fight against,” he said.
Manyin also pointed out that for the next election, he will still be the “captain” and will lead no matter his age.
“I will still use the same techniques and strategies,” he said.
On the expectation of new faces in the election, Manyin said that it is up to the GPS chairman (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) to decide.
When asked on the greatest challenge that the Bidayuh community currently faces, Manyin said that for now it is about people becoming more daring.
“Since Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the federal government, the people are more open about what they want to say.
“Last time they were quite reserved to say anything but after PH took over, the people have gotten more open about how they feel with regard to issues and have become more daring in voicing these.
“That is our biggest challenge in the run-up to the next state election,” said Manyin.
