KUCHING: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has thanked Datuk Ali Biju for pulling out from contesting in the Sarawak election as an Independent candidate.
Its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stated Ali’s determination to not defend the Krian seat was to respect the good relations that Bersatu and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) loved.
“His actions are noble and honourable. The sacrifices made by Datuk Ali Biju had a serious affect on the understanding that had been reached between (GPS chairman) Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and I in the direction of a greater cooperation between GPS and Bersatu in Sarawak.
“This consists of the understanding that Perikatan Nasional, represented by Bersatu, will participate in the subsequent common election in the state,” he stated in a press release on Thursday (Dec 9).
Muhyiddin additionally welcomed Ali’s help for GPS candidates contesting in Krian, Kalaka and Kabong, that are positioned in the Saratok parliamentary constituency, the place the latter was the MP.
Earlier on Thursday, Ali had introduced that he was pulling out from contesting as an Independent candidate in the Krian seat, and that he would give full help to the GPS candidate contesting there, particularly Friday Belik.
He stated the choice was made after taking into consideration that his insistence on contesting in the election might adversely have an effect on relations between Perikatan and GPS.
Ali had gained the Krian seat in the 2011 and 2016 state elections below the PKR ticket. He, nevertheless, left the occasion and joined Bersatu.
On the Dec 6 nomination day, he had submitted his papers to contest as an Independent, a transfer that had raised questions since Bersatu had agreed to take a seat out in this election.
Apart from Ali, three different Bersatu members have been contesting as Independents – Siki Balarik in Belaga, Ricky Enteri in Bawang Assan and Ismawi Muhammad in Muara Tuang.
