Winning direct-BN candidate will surely opt for main party

Liu Pow Kam: The direct-BN candidate tingie is not something new. It was previously put to the test under the Taib administration and was proven a success.

James Dawos Mamit contested as a direct-BN candidate in the 1990 general elections in Mambong and won; so did Billy Abit Joo in Hulu Rajang, which he won.

The former joined PBB and the latter, PRS.

Yes, contesting as a direct-BN candidate may be good for people without any affiliation to political parties to join BN.

But there is an issue here. Which party would the winning candidate join?

There is no prize for guessing it right! Of course the candidate would join a dominant BN party which in this case is PBB, thus increasing the party’s seats. And what of the components?

They would certainly feel slighted.

The best solution in the event CM Adenan Satem wishes to go ahead with his BN-direct plan, which he’s most likely to do so, is to discuss with the candidates the party they would join after the election.

If all the parties involved agreed with the candidates’ party choice by all means go ahead and field them. Otherwise, making a decision after polling day will only lead to resentment by the slighted parties.

Roy Gregory: Betul. It's like you are meddling in their business. A leader must be firm and enhance the existing BN spirit and cooperation. Either you are in or you are out. No other candidates except from BN only, please.

Kong Tong Kiong: Yes, be firm as the coalition is for BN components only.

Rahman Yii: For the past 50 odd years under BN, how has Sarawak benefited?

Aaron Ting: Makes no difference to me, they are all there for the money.

Chhoo Lak Thiang: It’s obvious. It’s an attempt to weaken the component parties and strengthen a dominant party. It’s PBB in Sarawak and Umno in Malaya.

Raymond Ang: Just sack Teras and UPP. They are just troublemakers.

Soon Yew Liow: Let’s vote in corruption-free leaders.

Joe Tawie: I am reminded of a slogan on TV; power attracts the worst, corrupt attracts the best!

These comments are in response to the article, BN-direct candidates – good for PBB eventually? Publisged on Feb 16. However, these views from our readers should not be represented as fact.

-The Ant Daily Readers Comments