Abdul Karim dares Iswardy in Asajaya

KUCHING: The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has challenged Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak’s strategic director, Iswardy Morni, to contest the Asajaya seat in the upcoming state election.

Abdul Karim, the current Asajaya assemblyman, said that he had previously extended an invitation to Iswardy, which was not accepted.

“I am extending the invitation once again. I am not being arrogant, but I would love to see his acceptance among the Sarawak people. Don’t just talk nonsense,” he told reporters after the launching of the Petra Jaya Cricket and Rugby Field in Petra Jaya today (Aug 2).

“If you have run for office and never won, you can’t expect to be given a seat for free. This shows that the people of Sarawak do not accept you.”

Abdul Karim said that Sarawak has local parties well-versed in the region’s issues.

“We do not need parties from other parts of Malaysia,” he added.

“While they can participate based on democratic principles, democracy can be interpreted in various ways. Winning without contesting is also democracy, and contesting is also democracy, but it has to be realistic.”

Recently, PKR Sarawak challenged the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to cede several state seats to Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next election. In response, Petra Jaya PKR chief Iswardy responded that GPS should relinquish some state seats to PH if they wish to remain in the federal government after the next General Election.