SERIAN: Former three-term Kedup assemblyman Datuk Frederick Bayoi yesterday received a New Year boost after his supporters turned up at his residence here to rally behind his bid to stand as Barisan Nasional candidate in the new seat of Bukit Semuja.
Some of the supporters who spoke to the media said Bayoi, 71, is a winnable candidate due to his good track record and experience as elected representative for 25 years including two terms as Tarat assemblyman before moving to Kedup in 1996.
His supporter from Kampung Kakai, Augustine Pilate claimed the people in the constituency still have high regards for Bayoi for his many contributions when serving as their assemblyman.
“Based on dialogue sessions that we have, many spoke fondly of him due to his good track record. I dare say 70 per cent of the people here want him to be our candidate as he is the most winnable. We do not want others apart from Datuk Frederick Bayoi,” said Augustine, a former policeman attached to the Special Branch.
Sapiee Chinong from Kampung Tebakang Melayu, said there is no other better person to represent Bukit Semuja other than Bayoi.
He said Bayoi’s 25 years of experience as an assemblyman makes him the best choice to be candidate for the new seat of Bukit Semuja, which comprised five polling districts formerly under Kedup and one polling district formerly under Tebedu.
“We want an experienced person to be our elected representative. If the candidate is an inexperienced man, it will be a difficult ride for him and others may protest.
“Another advantage for Datuk Bayoi is that he has permanent residence in Serian town, which makes it easy for the people to meet him,” said Sapiee.
A former councillor from Koran Mawang, Robin Mayun, also said he fully supported Bayoi’s nomination as BN candidate in Bukit Semuja.
“He has very good PR (public relations) with the people. And also very approachable. That’s why he is so well-liked.
“Therefore, he is the best man to represent this seat. I also call on others from outside Bukit Semuja not to come in and try to sabotage. Please mind your own business,” he said.
A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veteran Gabel Limpong said the people in the constituency, especially those formerly under Kedup, still favoured Bayoi as the candidate.
“When he was the Kedup assemblyman and PBB Kedup branch chairman, many sub-branches were set up and activated under him.
“Therefore, we feel he is the best candidate,” said Gabel, himself a former chairman of PBB Slabi Entukuh sub branch for 25 years.
Meanwhile, two Bayoi supporters from Mentung Merau – Patrick Ahon and Albert Mintol – also fully supported Bayoi’s BN candidacy bid even though their village is not under Bukit Semuja.
Patrick said they still remember fondly Bayoi’s contributions when serving as assemblyman for Kedup, of which Mentung Merau is a polling district.
“He is always available to us and very approachable. He has houses in Serian and the people have no problem in wanting to meet him. Though our village is not under Bukit Semuja, I call on people here to support him,” he said.
Albert said the experience gained by Bayoi as an assemblyman for five terms would enable him to serve efficiently as the elected representative there.
“I remember fondly when my house was burnt down in 1992, no one else except him (Bayoi) came to help me. That’s why I dare say with such qualities, he is the best candidate for this seat,” he said.
Bayoi’s personal assistant Johnny Gondok also has fond words for his boss, describing him as the best choice for a candidate due to his knowledge of the area when serving as Kedup assemblyman.
“Datuk Frederick Bayoi is a local boy, and his heart is always close to Bukit Semuja,” said Johnny.
Bukit Semuja (formerly named Triboh) is one of the 11 new seats to be contested in the next state election expected by many to be held in March.
This Bidayuh-majority seat comprised polling districts of Triboh, Selabi, Serian Bazaar, Kakai, Serian Hulu and Sedihan, with total registered voters of 13,103 as of last March.
Apart from Bayoi, there are others also from PBB speculated to be interested in the seat. Among them is Serian District Council councillor Gabriel Kajeh, who hails from the Sedihan polling district.-Borneo Post
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