Rapelson now eyes Gedong seat in next state election
KUCHING: The heavy defeat he suffered in the Tanjong Datu byelection did not deter physicallychallenged Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) candidate, Rapelson Richart Hamit, from continuing on with his politics.
Rapelson yesterday said he is now eyeing Gedong and is confident of using the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) ticket to contest against the mighty Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next state election.
He lost badly to BN candidate Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu in Tanjong Datu on Feb 18 when securing only 130 votes against Jamilah’s 6,573 votes, causing him to lose his deposit.
In the May 7 state election last year, he lost to BN candidate Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais for the newly created seat of Gedong when polling only 699 votes. Naroden won the contest by garnering 6,064 votes. Rapelson stood as an Amanah candidate then.
Saying Amanah already had a support base in Tanjong Datu, he had hoped to see a one-to- one contest between Amanah and BN in the constituency because other opposition parties appeared to be not interested in the seat.
He thanked PBDSB for fielding him when Amanah decided not to contest in the Tanjong Datu byelection.
“Iwouldliketoexpressmyspecial thanks to my family, comrades, relatives, friends, supporters and the community during, before and after Tanjong Datu by- election for the contribution of my candidacy deposit, manpower, time, logistics and other contributions,” he said.
“My deposit of RM5,000 was sponsored by the community to protest against the Federal Court’s unfavourable decision over Pemakai Menua and Pulau Galau claimed by Tuai Rumah Sandah in Kanowit. Even though the community had won at the High Court and Court of Appeal, the Federal Court suddenly said these two NCRs had no force of law,” he added.
“I feel more independent during this by- election. They sought me to uphold Dayak rights in Tanjong Datu and also that of Sarawakians. Even though we have lost our deposit, we won many hearts, judging by the fact that the Dayak community is now becoming more matured in politics. Dayak volunteerism has also improved. Tanjong Datu has won RM1.5 billion worth of projects and so on. I was sponsored by the community.
“Unlike in Gedong, I was totally sponsored by Parti Amanah Negara and Amanah Kelantan. Now we can see that PBDSB has become more community-based where focus is on community empowerment instead of politicking.
“I now can assume that Tanjong Datu belongs to Amanah after discussion with DAP and PBDSB and after PKR decided not to be involved in the by- election. We respect that decision. State Amanah had confirmed the decision to contest in the byelection but it was Amanah central ( headquarters) that decided not to contest,” he explained.
The contradicting decision between the state and central leadership will not change anything on the future of Amanah in Tanjong Datu, he insisted.
“My appointment letter was given and signed by PBDSB president Cobbold John at a coffee shop. This shows that PBDSB is autonomous. We don’t have to wait for KL to approve our candidacy as we can make decisions independently based on community interest which should be above personal interest. PBDSB so far is sincere in forming an opposition coalition,” he said.
“PBDSB will eye all Dayak seats like Mas Gading, Puncak Borneo, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Saratok, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau, Kapit, Hulu Rajang and some Malay-majority seats. We not only would safeguard Dayak rights but also that of all Sarawakians,”
Rapelson said Amanah and/ or PBDSB would continue their political struggle with or without the assistance of Pakatan Harapan coalition in their campaign pursuant to the next parliamentary election.