KUCHING: Edwin Banta, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate tasked with taking back the Selangau seat, is a man on a mission.
First he wants to repay the coalition’s trust in him by winning the seat, and after that he wants to develop the basic facilities and improve the socioeconomic status of the people in the constituency.
When met by reporters today at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters, the 57-year-old said he would focus on developing basic facilities for the well-being of the community.
“I want the residents of Selangau to enjoy basic facilities, especially good telecommunications coverage, because it is an important service.
“After that, the focus is to improve their socioeconomic position through agriculture and industry, such as developing the oil palm cultivation industry,” he said.
Edwin said that although the Selangau seat is held by the opposition, he is confident that it will not be a problem for GPS to retake it, adding that in his seven-year experience as a political secretary, he has been going around Selangau to meet and help the local community.
“So, it is not an issue because I am very knowledgeable about the area involved, not to mention I have a very good relationship with both Tamin and Kakus assemblymen,” he said.
“I am confident that success can be achieved because all components of the coalition party are very supportive of each other and always provide the best cooperation, especially to retake the seat from the opposition,” he said.
In the 14th general election (GE14), Baru Bian who contested on a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket, won the seat with a majority of 486 votes, defeating Rita Sarimah from PRS.
However, Baru who is now Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general, will not defend the seat, but will contest in Lawas.
