Yesterday Sarawak Update and Berita Kitai posted the latest possible candidate for the coming Batang Ai by-election.
According to my SMS interview with Johnny Chuat, he may be a possible independent candidate and having 2,000 supporters behind him. Now that constitutes to 25% of the electorate. He have not reveal his election agenda yet, but I believe he can be an option to the fence sitters and voters who neither support the BN or Pakatan Rakyat.
Being a graduate in journalism and communications, he met the minimum criteria to be a Dayak rep. During the last few elections, the voters have raised their concern that the rep must be highly educated.
Being the owner of a magazine and a portal, Johnny may become a good “transporter” – to bridge the communication gap between the people and the Dewan (where development matters are being discussed). He could bring in the ICT development to the interior of Batang Ai and get the people connected to the outside world, who knows.
The stake is high on him and all the possible consequences need to be addressed before he submit his nomination form this 29th March.
Kaban
Johnny can be the option to Pakatan Rakyat’s recycled candidates woes. To date, if Johnny is to go for election, it will be a fight among friends. Johnny is closed to the campaigners in Pakatan Rakyat and a friend to Mossem and his campaigners. Johnny may be facing another potential candidate who is also his friend – John Linang.
Linang claimed to have the support of over 60 longhouses in Batang Ai and has not given up hope (to be endorsed as BN candidate) despite the announcement by Dato Sri James Masing. Until, our Prime Minister make the final announcement, we will then see where Linang is heading. My honest opinion, he should join hands with Mossem to retain Batang Ai as one of BN’s power house. BN will not negotiate anymore for candidacy since Mossem has been making his rounds and being introduced to the people in Batang Ai by the Sarawak BN leaders.
Voters are friends too
How would the voters (who are also friends to this candidates) react? We have seen bloggers going to Parliament. And, will we see an Internet portal owner goes to Dewan Undangan Negeri and blog his experience there.
It will be a battle of who makes a better friend and servicing the relatives will be the winner. Of course the development shall tagged better on BN side.
We shall know on 7th April.
It is learnt that the PKR leadership will wait till the last minute to name the candidate as a matter of strategy. Two names shortlisted by the party are Nicholas Bawin, chairperson of the Lubok Antu PKR division and Lubok Antu’s former five-term MP Jawah Gerang.
ban magazine publisher joins Batang Ai rasa as independent
SIBU, March 20 — A third candidate— an independent — has put himself as a candidate for the Batang Ai by-election on April 7.
A publisher of a well known Iban cultural, educational and entertainment magazine, and who has his own portal, Johnny Chuat has thrown his hat into the state seat race.
IBAN magazine publisher joins Batang Ai race
SIBU: The publisher of a well known Iban cultural, educational and entertainment magazine and who has his own portal, is set to join the race for the Batang Ai by-election on April 7.