KUCHING: More than 2,000 candidates for the Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP) in Sarawak will undergo training in the new year.
Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian stated that over 2,000 applications have been received so far in the state.
“Once they are approved by the Rural Development Ministry (KPLB), they will undergo training.
“When it is completed, they will be the first batch of MPKKP candidates,” he said when met by reporters after a press conference on the first modern Iban film Bungai Ngerembai yesterday.
Baru, who is also the Works Minister, revealed that there were about 5,000 potential candidates throughout Sarawak.
The applications, he said, would take time to process, depending on the number of longhouses and villages in the state.
“As we all know, these people are going to channel information from the federal government to the communities throughout Sarawak.
“Any issues faced by the locals could be channelled through them,” he said.
On the preparation for the upcoming state election, Baru pointed out that Pakatan Harapan (PH) was always in readiness mode.
“We all know that the word going around is that it could be in April, while some say in August or September. Some also say that it could be in 2021.
“Not withstanding the news we have heard, we have been fully prepared since last year,” he said.
Regarding the seats to be contested, he pointed out, “It is not a big problem. Yes, they are still some overlapping here and there. I believe that we are able to overcome them when it comes.
“Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Bersatu (Bersatu), at the moment, has not indicated whether it will contest the seats.
“But as I have said we will look at any possibilities to accommodate their request. I think we will also consider (their request).”
