Ahmad Nazip is surprise inclusion in PKR's list of candidates announced by Anwar Ibrahim

KUCHING, April 11, 2013: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced the names of six more of the party’s candidates in Sarawak for the May 5 general election, bringing the total number to 11, thus far.

The six are Syarie lawyer and Sarawak PKR Youth head Ahmad Nazip Johari (Petrajaya), accountant and college lecturer Zolrosdi Mohd Hol (Santubong), social activist and former deputy president of the Dayak Council of Customs and Traditions Nicholas Bawin (Lubok Antu), Sarawak PKR deputy Wanita head Cecilia Siti Una (Betong), former secondary school headmaster Thomas Laja (Kanowit) and insurance agency unit general manager and Christian activist Joshua Jabeng (Selangau).

Ahmad Nazip is a surprise inclusion as it was earlier speculated that Sarawak PKR Wanita chief Norhanim Mokshen was strongly tipped to contest in Petrajaya.

It is understood that the stunned Sarawak PKR leadership had proposed Norhanim to be the candidate.

Norhanim, although shocked at her exclusion, told reporters that she and her supporters would give their support to Ahmad Nazip, who contested and lost to Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg in Satok n the 2011 state election.

The name of PKR candidate for Petrajaya was supposed to be announced at a political gathering in Semariang last night, and that reporters were told that Anwar would make the announcement.

However, Anwar left without making the announcement, prompting speculations to arise that something was still unsettled.

In the case of Betong, there was a very intense lobbying for the seat by at least three aspiring candidates. Among them is a former senior state government officer Noel Bucking, now a businessman, a front-runner.

Noel has even set up his operation room in Betong.

In the end, it was Siti who was named as the candidate.

Anwar had last month announced the first batch of five candidates.

They are State assemblyman for Krian and engineer Ali Biju (Saratok), businessman Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh (Batang Lupar), native customary rights land lawyer Abun Sui Anyit (Hulu Rajang), lawyer and pastor Roland Engan (Baram) and Sarawak PKR chief and State Assemblyman for Ba’Kelalan Baru Bian (Limbang).

Speaking at a packed press conference at Grand Continental Hotel here, Anwar said the names of the rest of PKR candidates in Sarawak will be announced later after the three component parties of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have resolved their overlapping seats.

The seats are Kota Samarahan, Stampin, Mambong, Mas Gading, Julau and Miri.

“I try to avoid announcing the names of PKR candidates for areas which are also being claimed by our friends,” he said.

He said that it does not mean that PKR surrenders the seats to either Pas or DAP, but out of respect of the spirit of consultation between PKR, Pas and DAP, the announcement is being delayed for now.

“We will only the announcement once all the overlapping claims have been amicably settled,” he explained, adding that as of last night, the negotiating teams from PKR, Pas and DAP were still working hard to resolve the overlapping claim issues and that he has requested PKR team leader Azmin Ali to complete the negotiation as soon as possible.

He said that the views from the state leaderships of the three component parties are being considered and taken into account by the negotiation teams.

In the case of Mambong, Anwar said that he needs to seek clarification from the DAP whether it is staking its claim on the seat.

“I could have announced the name of the candidate during a political gathering in Siburan last night, but it has to be delayed because we want to make sure that the DAP has no claim on Mambong,” he explained.

He said he does not want two or three incidents in Peninsular Malaysia to happen in Sarawak where PR component parties both announcing the names of their respective candidates for the same seats.

“An example is Sungai Acheh in Penang, for which both PKR and Pas have named their candidates,” he said, adding that the seat was contested by PKR in the 2008 general election.

He said PKR and Pas will discuss the matter in an amicable manner.

Anwar said there is a strong possibility that PKR will contest in Mambong, Mas Gading and Julau.

PKR has proposed IT consultant Willie Mongin for Mambong, insurance consultant Boniface Tumek in Mas Gading and chemist Andy Wong for Julau.

Anwar denied allegation that he only chosen people close to him to be PKR candidates.

“Well, that’s the interpretation…some of them I hardly know…. frankly not all of them are very close. But in this case, I work on the lists from the branches and state committees and hardly any name, one or two after consultation, some adjustments are made….otherwise, the entire lists are recommended by the states,” he said.

On allegations that he and Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP) adviser leader Datuk Sng Chee Hua have been working “very closely” in Sarawak, Anwar said such rumours have been going on for the last five years.

“But we have fielded candidates in Lubok Antu and Selangau where SWP is also contesting,” he said, adding that he does not exclude or preclude friendship with anyone, being they from Umno or SWP.

“At the personal level, anybody is welcomed…I don’t take this arrogance BN’s view of relationship or former US president George Bush’s view of either you are with us or against us…I don’t take that kind of position. Friend, yes. You ask me whether I support Bawin or Joshua, yes, of course.

“We will make sure that our candidates win,” he stressed.

Ends