Sabah and Sarawak BN leaders not in favour of GE in May or June

(The Star) – Sabah and Sarawak Barisan Nasional leaders are not keen for the general election to be held later this month or early next month. They felt it would be an inappropriate time as people in both states would be celebrating their traditional festivals of Pesta Keaa­matan in Sabah and Gawai Dayak in Sarawak.

Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief Datuk Johnny Mositun said the party felt it would be better for the general election to be called later.

“We heard that Parliament could be dissolved any time now. But we feel it is better for it to be done after Kaamatan so as not to disrupt the celebrations,” Mositun said.

Pesta Kaamatan or harvest festival is a month-long celebration of the Kadazandusun and Murut communities of Sabah that culminates in a grand celebration on May 30-31.

Upko secretary-general Datuk Wilfred Tangau said: “Kaamatan is a time of thanksgiving and forgiveness.

So I feel it is inappropriate to dissolve Parliament then,” he said.

In Sarawak, SUPP leader Dr Jerip Susil said although Gawai Dayak was observed on the first few days of the month, the people would still be in festive mood for weeks.

PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said Sarawakians would not want to be caught up in the election during a time to be with their loved ones.

“Even leaders would not want to campaign during this time as it is the time to be with their families,” he said.

PRS president Tan Sri James Masing felt that Barisan would not fare well should the polls be held next month.