Lion of Layar becomes prey
By Ismail, Free Malaysia Today
KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Layar, is facing what may be the toughest challenge he has encountered in his 37-year career as state assemblyman.
As he attempts to secure his eighth term as the Layar representative, his three rivals have been relentless in exposing what they say is his string of failures.
Leading the charge is PKR candidate Stanny Embat, who claims to know the “ins and outs” of the incumbent. There is credibility in the claim because Embat is a relative of the incumbent and a former Special Branch officer. He has recently acquired the nickname of Fighter Cock Embat.
Another rival, independent candidate Tedewin Ngumbang, is also a former police officer. He says he is baring all the “dirty things that Jabu has done”.
Equally potent is Snap’s candidate, the popular Joe Unggang.
Jabu, known as the Lion of Layar, was never seriously challenged in past elections. “Nobody dared to raise a finger against him,” said a retired teacher. “But this time around, he is being ridiculed, chastised and condemned. The undercurrents against him are very strong now.”
Another pensioner said many people in Layar were unhappy but dared not express dissatisfaction for fear of a political backlash. He described Jabu as a vindictive person who kept a coterie of agents to spy for him.
These spies, he added, held positions as tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs), penghulu, pemanca, temenggong and councillors.
“The villagers of Entanak and Empaong have not even dared to complain about their native customary rights (NCR) land being taken away.”
The pensioner admitted that the villagers received compensation for losing their land, but complained that the government gave away 50% of the land to a private company for it to build shophouses. This was wrong, he said because the land was acquired under Section 47 of the Land Code, which means it should be used for public purposes.
Despite the spies, more and more people feel emboldened by Embat’s speeches and have been coming forward to discredit Jabu.
Crony companies
Some admit that Jabu has done much for the people of Layar. Among other things, his efforts resulted in the raising of Betong’s status in 2002 from a district to a division. That led to infrastructural development, the building of schools, office blocks and shophouses and the development of agricultural schemes.
“But who have benefited from these developments?” asked Embat.
