Critical for BN to win Pujut by-election, says Sarawak Deputy CM

Barisan Nasional's (BN) objective in facing the Pujut state by-election is very clear, that is to win the seat, said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

"It is very critical that BN wins Pujut seat and the Chief Minister has his own strategy to ensure BN's victory in the by-election," he told reporters after officiating at the 10th International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (CITA) 2017 here today.

The by-election is held following disqualification of its incumbent Dr Ting Tiong Choon under Article 17(1)(g) of the State Constitution for voluntarily acquired Australian citizenship.

The Election Commission has fixed June 20 for nomination and polling on July 4.

Uggah added that it was critical for BN to win the by-election as this would be Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg's first by-election since his appointment as Sarawak's sixth chief minister.

He said this would also be a prelude to the 14th general election, thus it will be very interesting to see Sarawakians in particular the voters' support towards BN especially with the Chief Minister's digital economy programme for the state.

"We must be optimistic in winning the seat," he said when asked what is BN's winning chances.

He said in the last state election, BN has successfully wrested back several seats which was previously won by DAP, adding that the Chinese voters in Pujut might give their votes to BN in the upcoming by-election.

He said it was also very important for BN to win Chinese votes in the by-election as it is a Chinese majority seat.

"It is important for the government to understand what are the problems faced by the people in the area (Pujut constituency) and BN must try to solve these problems like the housing, squatters and other socio-economic problems. In another words we must listen to the people on the ground," said Uggah.

--BERNAMA