Tuesday February 5, 2013

PBB to field new woman candidate in polls

By NIGEL EDGAR
nigeledgar@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: A PBB incumbent will not get to defend his seat in the 13th general election.

And the successor will be a woman, says Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Speaking during the launching ceremony of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) Women Machinery at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex at Petra Jaya here yesterday, the PBB president said the woman candidate was the party’s way of appreciating the contributions of women in BN.

“For PBB, one of our 14 candidates will be a woman. She will replace a man incumbent.

“We will try from time to time to show our appreciation for the work of the women in BN,” he said.

Earlier Taib said BN candidates for the coming parliamentary polls were expected to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak before the end of this month.

After the ceremony, Taib was asked if he could name the candidate as well as the parliamentary seat she would be contesting in.

“The Prime Minister will announce it — don’t worry. He has more or less agreed. (It) wouldn’t be long, probably in two or three weeks,” he replied.

PBB is expected to retain all of its incumbent except for Kota Samarahan where Taib’s son, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, had decided not to seek re-election.

Speculations are rife that the woman candidate referred to is Asajaya District Officer Rubiah Wang.

Talk of Rubiah’s candidacy grew louder after she was seen at a function with Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, where the latter hinted that a woman was one of three potential candidates shortlisted for Kota Samarahan.

PBB’s existing women MPs are Datuk Rohani Karim (Batang Lupar), Nancy Shukri (Batang Sadong) and Datuk Norah Tun Abdul Rahman (Tanjong Manis).

Other PBB incumbents are Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong), Datuk Fadillah Yusof (Petra Jaya), Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong), Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (Betong), Datuk Wahab Dollah (Igan), Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad (Mukah), Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit), Ahmad Lai Bujang (Sibuti), Hasbi Habibollah (Limbang) and Henry Sum Agong (Lawas).

Meanwhile, BN Women chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who was a guest-of-honour at the event, said the new woman candidate for PBB was an improvement for BN women as a whole as it meant the Government recognised the capability of women in leading the country.

On the state BN Women Machinery’s effectiveness, she said: “I think it is going to be a difficult task because of the sheer size of the state and the geographical challenges.

“Nevertheless, with the fiery spirit I witnessed today I am sure that the state BN Women Machinery would be able to help bring victory to BN in the coming elections.”

News

Tuesday February 5, 2013

PBB to field new woman candidate in polls

By NIGEL EDGAR nigeledgar@thestar.com.my

By NIGEL EDGAR
nigeledgar@thestar.com.my