SIBU: Members of the public here are open to the possibility of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) fielding Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee for the Sibu parliamentary seat.
Voters polled by the New Sarawak Tribune said a fresh approach is needed to bring meaningful improvement to Sibu – a seat which has been held by opposition parties in the last few General Elections (GEs).
They viewed with the State Deputy Minister being put forward as a candidate, it would give the state ruling coalition an advantage due to the latter’s influence among the younger generation.
They also opined that traditional seats – or rather parties who are traditionally contesting in the seat is no longer relevant if there is a better candidate from another party.
The Sibu parliamentary seat for the last two terms has been occupied Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Oscar Ling who won the seat in GE13 and GE14.
It first fell to the opposition in a 2010 by-election following the demise of its incumbent, the late Robert Lau Hoi Chew of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) with then DAP state chairman, the late Wong Ho Leng winning the seat.
In the upcoming parliamentary polls, the seat is expected to see at least a three-cornered fight between the DAP incumbent, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and a GPS candidate.
Following are views by members of the public:
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CAROLINE OKTAVIA GERUNA, 26, ENTREPRENEUR
“In my opinion, it is possible the seat will be switched (from SUPP to another party) as we can see that both Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee (PBB) and Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (PSB) are influential figures, especially in Sibu politics. For the millennials, the choice is in our hands. Choose a potential candidate that brings good to our future, who can lift our people and lives up. It’s time to break the circle that brings nothing but empty promises.”
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MOHAMMAD KHAIRUDDIN RUSHDI AYUPHAN, 28, PRIVATE SECTOR WORKER
“In my opinion, it would be better if the seat was given to a well-known and influential candidate such as Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. This will give GPS an advantage and because he is highly influential in Sibu, especially among the younger generation. But overall, a well-known candidate alone is not enough because what the people want is credibility – a leader who is capable of shouldering great responsibilities and can bring change for the better. Therefore, we must make a wise choice.”
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ANGELINE CYNTHIA ANTAI, 26, EVENT MANAGER
“It is not necessary to only choose a popular candidate. Why not give the other candidates a chance? I think something new and fresh is needed for the improvement of Sibu.”
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CLAUDIA LENNYA JANA, 26, STUDENT
“What is important is not ‘keeping’ the traditional seat but it is about the candidate. If there is a high chance for the candidate to win then why not switch? We want a candidate who can ensure our needs are looked into. A candidate who will fight for our rights regardless of which political party they come from. We want a candidate who knows and understands the struggles of the people in the area. Candidates with these attributes will surely win. So, for the Sibu parliamentary seat, if Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee shines more than the others, why not pick him?”
