The Daily Updated News from Batang Ai By-Election
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1. 'Satu lawan satu'
Jawah Gerang (pic, right) of PKR is facing Malcolm Mussen of Barisan Nasional in the Batang Ai
by-election announced on Thursday.
Sone 10,000 people were present to send their respective candidates to the nomination centre. While the Parti Keadilan Sarawak’s supporters were from local people, the BN’s supporters came from civil servants, council staff and etc.
Johnny Chuat, an Iban blogger and producer of Iban magazine, failed to submit his papers even though he went inside the nomination centre. However, when he came out, he wore PKR shirt and called his supporters to support Jawah Gerang.
2. An encounter with James Masing
One day before nomination day, the small town of Lubok Antu was full of people literally to its brims. Wherever you went, you were bound to meet the same people.
While looking for food, three of us – myself, my colleague and our driver – we met Masing, the BN director of operations and his supporters. After finishing our food, we thought it be discourteous if we did not say hello to the minister.
So we shook hands with him. I was the last to do so. “Hello, YB Dr.” I said. Replying, he said: “Why is your Broken Shield always broken?”
“Well, because its parts and pieces are still with PBB, SUPP, SPDP, PRS, and other parties. Unless all Dayaks are united under one political party, the Shield will always remain broken”, I said. Masing looked rather uncomfortable.
3. The pig that did not die
Whatever Ibans do such as farming, constructing a house, working in distant land, “miring” (rites) is part of the custom.
When Malcolm Mussen procceded to the nomination centre yesterday, a “miring” ceremony was performed.
Part of the ceremony was for him to spear a pig. Usually after the pig has died, its livers were scrutinized carefully looking for any strange or unusual formation.
However, in Mussen’s case, they did not look at the livers as they had to hurry to the nomination centre. After they had left, someone found out that the pig was still alive. It had to be speared for the second time. What does this signify? Bad omen?
4. Dominique Ng causes a stir
During yesterday’s nomination day, the entire cabinet of Abdul Taib Mahmud were present. Sabah’s deputy chief minister Joseph Kitingan and two federal ministers were present.
A special tent was constructed for the VVIPs so that they could drink and wait for the outcome of the nomination. Another one was constructed for the Opposition.
Dominique Ng (pic above, left), PKR State assemblyman went to the tent housing the VVIPs to take photographs when one of the VVIPs asked him whether he went to the wrong place and that he should change his shirt. (Dominique at that time was wearing PKR shirt).
“No. I am happy with my baju,” he replied.
“Then you better leave, we do not want you,” said Alfred Jabu, deputy chief minister and deputy president of PBB.
“After this, we also do not want you,” replied Dominique.
“You talk big,” remarked Abdul Taib Mahmud, chief minister and president of PBB to the laughters of all present.
“Don’t worry, we are all big,” said Dominique before he was pulled away by a security personnel.
5. About RM500,000 spent on nomination day
About 5,000 BN supporters were present at the padang during the nomination day yesterday holding BN flags.
It was said that each participant was paid RM40.00 That will come to RM200,000. What about money spent on drinks and food for the VVIPs and other invited guests?
And claims, travelling and lodging allowances of civil servants? There were more than 800 police personnel present. That day alone not less than RM500,000 was spent.
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