MIRI: To Sibuti incumbent MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni his constituents come first, and his mission is to continue with the unabated progress in his constituency.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is retaining him to defend the seat in the 15th general election (GE15) on Nov 19
Lukanisman, 40, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy youth chief, has served Sibuti since 2018.
“During uring my tenure as the MP I’ve always voiced out the peoples’ needs because I believed in the ‘Sarawak First’ agenda that gives priority to the people,” he said.
On Thursday, Lukanisman received his watikah (writ) from GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Nomination day is today (Nov 5) while early voting is on Nov 15.
Lukanisman described that GE15 would be different compared to 2018 when he made his political debut.
“Back then I was young and as time flew, I gained a lot of experience during the four years as MP Sibuti. I went through a few hurdles, including being in the opposition for 22 months when Pakatan Harapan (PH) was the government, and when the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. All these experiences have made me politically mature,” he said.
He said the pandemic was a challenging period, but eventually he managed to help the needy, distributing food baskets and bringing those in the rural areas to the vaccination centres.
On the Sibuti GPS election machinery, he assured preparations were going on smoothly and that the campaign teams were raring to go.
“The GPS machinery is experienced and was involved in the state election 10 months ago. Sibuti GPS has more than 2,000 members and I have at least 500 volunteers comprising youth, students, retired teachers, professionals, activists and NGOs.
“If elected, I’ll continue to raise issues regarding poor school conditions in the parliament, besides focusing on issues related to rural health infrastructure, security and geopolitical matters, such as the security issue of the South China Sea and pursue issues related to MA63,” he said.
In the last term, he and Sabah MPs brought up Sarawak and Sabah’s quest of 35 per cent seats restoration in the parliament as stipulated in the MA63.
“For this term, I will strengthen the debate regarding the issue of rural development allocation that is more focused on Sarawak, including replacement of poor schools,” Lukanisman assured.
In GE14, Lukanisman defeated Pakatan Harapan’s Jemat Panjang and Zulaihi Bakar of PAS by a majority of 3,676 of votes.
Latest Election Commission figures show that Sibuti has 58,522 voters out of which 4,042 are 18 to 20 years old, and 14,010 voters are between 21 and 29.
Lukanisman is up against Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) chief Bobby William, Party Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sibuti women chief Zulhaidah Suboh and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).
