Tug of war between component parties in Saratok

KUCHING: Sarawak Barisan Nasional is close to finalising its seat allocation for the 14th General Election, but in Saratok there is still a tug of war between component parties.

Incumbent Tan Sri William Mawan has been active on the ground, hoping that Barisan’s leadership will consider his candidacy.

The former state minister, then president of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), won Saratok by a 2,081vote majority against Ali Biju of PKR in the 2013 general election.

Mawan is now a member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and grassroot members have been lobbying for him to be renominated under the PBB ticket.

He was tightlipped when contacted about the matter, saying that all would be made known “when the time comes”.

On the other side of the camp, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) – previously known as SPDP – is understood to have picked businessman Subeng Mula as its candidate.

Its senior vicepresident Datuk Paul Igai believes the party’s candidate will get the nod to contest in Saratok.

With the recent announcement by Chief Minister and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that the party would stick to its “no dual” representation policy, it is unlikely that Mawan would be picked to contest as he is also Pakan assemblyman.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri James Masing confirmed that the party would retain its four incumbents in Sri Aman, Kanowit, Julau and Hulu Rajang, while featuring two new faces.

It is understood that lawyers Robert Pasang Alam and Rita Insol will be picked to contest in Lubok Antu and Selangau respectively.

PDP will contest in Mas Gading, Baram and Bintulu.

Pakatan Harapan has finalised its seat allocation, which sees PKR contesting 16 seats, DAP nine and Amanah six.

This time around, DAP has given Mukah and Lawas to PKR. Amanah will take over four seats contested by then Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS, with additional seats of Santubong and Batang Sadong from PKR.

In return, Keadilan will take over Sibuti.

“There was no quarrel over the seats. It was all done amicably and unanimously,” state Pakatan Harapan chairman Chong Chieng Jen told reporters earlier this week.

Sarawak will only be involved in the parliamentary election, having held its state election in May 2016.