Affendi Jeman to contest Pantai Damai seat in next state election

KUCHING (April 5): Parti Sedar Rakyat (Sedar) Sarawak president Affendi Jeman has announced his intention to contest the Pantai Damai seat in the next state election.

He said, however, that he may not be contesting under the Sedar banner as the party is currently in the process of being rebranded as Parti Wawasan Rakyat.

“I personally will contest in Pantai Damai and I am offering myself to be the representative there,” he added when met at his Aidilfitri open house at Kesuma Resort Clubhouse here on Sunday.

Affendi said this would be his first time contesting the Pantai Damai state seat, having previously stood in the Santubong parliamentary constituency during the 2013, 2018 and 2022 general elections.

“This is my first time contesting Pantai Damai, the state seat. Previously, I contested in Parliament, and I have my family in Pantai Damai.

“My family grew up there and I know that I have supporters there too,” he said.

He noted that the constituency comprises around 60 villages and claimed to have received feedback and complaints from residents during his visits.

“I received complaints whenever I visited the villages there,” he said.

According to him, his decision to contest was also influenced by the need for better representation, echoing sentiments raised by the Sarawak Premier on the importance of performance among elected representatives.

“That’s what the premier has said; those representatives who are not performing should rightly be changed,” he said.

He stressed that the party’s approach is not solely to oppose but to bring improvements and provide constructive alternatives.

He added that there is a growing number of undecided voters seeking new options in the constituency.

“From the information I have gathered, the number of fence-sitters is increasing. They are basically looking for alternatives.

“So, I want voters to know that our approach is not merely opposing. Our aim is to bring about betterment,” he said.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that his party plans to contest at least 17 seats in the coming state election.