PKR man sacrified, DAP man becomes candidate
A bewildered Mas Gading PKR candidate is upset over the sudden decision to drop him a day after he was given the go-ahead by the party.
Joseph Tawie, FMT
Boniface Willy Tumek, who was until 1.45 pm today, the PKR candidate for Mas Gading, has threatened to take legal action against his party after he was forced to return the PKR’s letter authorising him to contest in the May 5 general election.
A distraught Tumek said he was both stunned and sad when told to return the letter.
Speaking to reporters at a hastily organised press conference, Tumek said: “As a party man, I have returned the letter as I do not wish to see PKR contest against DAP.
“I have to look at a bigger picture. But I have been working day and night for the past two years in Mas Gading, and this is how I have been treated.
“I know I have much much better chance given the squabbles in Barisan Nasional.”
Tumek was last night named the Mas Gading candidate and given his letter by PKR operations room director Sabaruddin Mohd Yasim. He was among 14 candidates who were issued consent letters.
Sabaruddin told newsmen that “he was authorised to announce only these 14 names given to me by the de facto leader of PKR Anwar Ibrahim”.
But this afternoon in a sudden twist of events, Mordi Bimol of DAP was given the mandate to contest as a Pakatan Rakyat candidate.
The latest development was announced by See Chee How, Sarawak PKR vice-chairman, to a group of reporters who were equally stunned.
PKR and DAP have been in a tussle over three seats. Both want to field candidates in Miri, Stampin and Sri Aman.
PKR gets two seats
Last night PKR chief Baru Bian said PKR should be given at least one Chinese seat.
It is learnt that PKR had to sacrifice the Mas Gading seat for a right to contest in Miri and Sri Aman.
