FORMER LUBOK ANTU MP PKR CANDIDATE FOR PRK N29

There're 8,600 registered voters, comprising 95% Ibans in the 1,341 sq km constituency where 24 polling centres will be opened.

About 40% of the 22,270 Batang Ai residents from 238 longhouses and 15 houses rely on boats as the mode of transport.

10 police boats, three helicopters and two light aircraft will also be deployed. Election Commission (EC) expected to spend RM400,000 to run the by-election.

The PKR candidate, Jawah Gerang, was accompanied by 3,000 supporters led by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to nomination centre in the Lubok Antu Sports complex.

Straight fight in Batang Ai






Jawah Gerang (top)



Malcom Mussem Lamoh


LUBOK ANTU (March 29, 2009) : The Batang Ai state by-election on April 7 is a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat-PKR.

BN newcomer Malcom Mussem Lamoh, 49, will face PKR’s Jawah Gerang, 55, a five-term former Lubok Antu MP.

Returning officer Nelson Mujah Girie confirmed the candidates at the nomination centre in the Lubok Antu Sports complex here after the objection period ended at 11am today.

Jawah was the first to submit his nomination papers when the centre opened at 9am. Jawah, accompanied by his seconder Lepang Gerang and proposer Unggeh Babang, filed his papers at 9.03am.

Mussem filed his papers at 9.15am accompanied by his proposer, Jampi Tutong and seconder, Gerang Juben.

Sarawak BN chairman Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud led the coalition’s march to the nomination centre together with BN director of operations Datuk Seri Dr James Masing with more than 5,000 supporters.

The BN showed solidarity with the presence of newly elected Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan and former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

The PKR candidate was accompanied by 3,000 supporters led by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The weather was fine and police helicopters were seen hovering over the area.

Party supporters started converging in the area near the nomination centre as early as 6am.

The 38km road leading to this rural border bazaar from the junction of the Sri Aman-Miri trunk road was jammed with vehicles ferrying party supporters, election workers and dignitaries while police personnel controlled traffic and public order.

About 850 policemen were mobilised from yesterday as part of security measures for the by-election.

Due to the remoteness of Batang Ai, 10 police boats, three helicopters and two light aircraft will also be deployed, with the Election Commission (EC) expected to spend RM400,000 to run the by-election.

About 40% of the 22,270 Batang Ai residents from 238 longhouses and 15 houses rely on boats as the mode of transport.

There are 8,600 registered voters, comprising 95% Ibans in the 1,341 sq km constituency where 24 polling centres will be opened.

The seat fell vacant following the death of four-term BN incumbent Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot, who was Sarawak agriculture and sports assistant minister and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president on Feb 24.

Batang Ai is one of two state constituencies under the Lubok Antu parliamentary seat. The other is Engkilili.

Bernama/sun2surf