KUCHING: Incumbent Saratok MP Datuk Ali Biju has to weigh his option whether to contest under Bersatu or stand as an independent in the 15th general election (GE15).
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) political analyst Professor Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman said Ali does not seem to have any other choice, especially if he was expecting Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to give back “something in return” for his so-called sacrifice, not to defend his Krian state seat in the 12th state election last year.
“I don’t think we can expect that to happen.
“GPS already made the announcement and is very firm that they will contest in all 31 seats,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, yesterday (Oct 19).
He was commenting on the announcement made by GPS Chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who said the coalition will contest in all 31 Parliamentary seats in Sarawak.
When asked if it will be easier for Ali to defend the seat as an independent candidate, Fadzil said that Ali stands a better chance to win as there are potentials to receive support from the voters.
“Even if he’s not accepted into GPS or PDP- as an Independent candidate, he can always be party-friendly … like what GPS is doing with the Federal government now which they can affiliate themselves without being a member of the (federal) coalition.
“However, if he were to contest under Bersatu, it might be difficult because the sentiment of Sarawakians today is leaning more towards the local party or coalition.
“GPS is capitalising on the local party sentiment and this could create unnecessary problem for Ali because GPS could always say that he’s not representing the local party,” said Fadzil.
In GE14, Ali won the Saratok seat under PKR ticket. He then quit the party during the ‘Sheraton Move’.
He later joined Bersatu and was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
In the last state election, Ali, who was also former Krian assemblyman, announced that he was withdrawing from contesting as an independent candidate and said he would give his full support to the GPS candidate.
Ali said his decision was to preserve the consensus and strengthen cooperation between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and GPS.
