BINTULU: Parti pesaka bumiputera bersatu (PBB) senior vice president, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom is confident that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate from PBB can successfully defend and win the upcoming Jepak by-election on Nov 4.
His confidence stems from the fact that the Jepak state seat has been a PBB stronghold for six consecutive terms under the leadership of the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
“In democracy, we cannot prevent anyone from standing for election. That’s why we want to prepare our machinery as perfectly as possible to take the necessary steps to win Jepak convincingly,” he said after attending a Special PBB Northern Zone Convention chaired by PBB deputy president and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan here on Wednesday.
Dr Rundi, who is also the Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, mentioned that the GPS candidate has already been identified by PBB president and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. When asked if the candidate is from the Jepak area, he replied, “Yes, the candidate is local, but we still don’t know who the individual is. Whoever PBB chooses as the candidate is a party member. So, we know that the Premier understands the situation in Jepak since 30 years ago.
Therefore, I feel there’s no need for us to look too far because we have a candidate who can be put forward and can win,” said the Kemena assemblyman.
