Shot in the arm for Nogeh

BAU: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) branches in Mas Gading have cast doubts over the winning chances of incumbent member of parliament Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe if he were to defend his seat in the coming general election.

The chairmen of the party’s Opar and Tasik Biru branches Datuk Peter Minos and John Nyigor respectively said Dr Tiki would find it very difficult to win again following political events affecting him.

They believed the new face recommended by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) namely Anthony Nogeh Gumbek was the best person to represent Barisan Nasional (BN) to defend the Mas Gading seat in the coming general election.

They stated their stand in response to the reluctance by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to rule out the possibility of fielding direct BN candidates in the general election when asked by reporters during his recent visit to the state.

Minos, who is also PBB deputy information chief, said there is no doubt that Nogeh would be the BN candidate if the BN principle and constitution are adhered to.

“To our BN friends in Mas Gading, do not worry about PBB. We will help each other to ensure victory,” he said, adding both PBB Opar and PBB Tasik Biru have set up operations rooms at Kampung Stuum Muda and Bau town respectively to assist SPDP.

Minos added that the chances of Dr Tiki winning was dented after being dropped from the federal deputy minister’s post in 2008 and his sacking from SPDP in 2011.

“He has been going around saying he is still winnable candidate. That is just his propaganda.

“Just think of the reasons why he was dropped from the federal cabinet and why he was sacked from his own party. Do you still think he is winnable? He is not,” he told a gathering at the house of SPDP Tasik Biru vice chairman Majen Minos at Kampung Grogo near here, last Saturday night.

‘Dr Tiki not appreciative, reciprocal to support given’

John who also spoke disputed Dr Tiki’s claim that he is winnable candidate, pointing out that the candidate representing BN must have support of all the four BN components in Mas Gading.

He claimed that Dr Tiki had not been appreciative and reciprocal to the support rendered by PBB in assisting him in the past three elections.

“If he thinks he is winnable, why not stand as independent to prove it? As far as PBB Tasik Biru is concerned, we respect SPDP’s decision to field Anthony Nogeh as the candidate and we will help him to win by big majority,” he said.

Also present at the gathering were SPDP vice president Rayan Narong, SPDP supreme council member Michael Sitien and Nogeh himself.

Nogeh, who is the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) deputy general manager, thanked those who assisted him in the past one year covering the ground and pledged to do his best for the constituency.