Tasik Biru or Singai, I’ll still defend seat, says rep

BAU (March 15): Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said he will defend his Tasik Biru seat in the next state election even if the Election Commission (EC) renames the constituency to Singai under the redelineation exercise.

The Deputy Minister of Transport said any decision regarding the name of the constituency is entirely up to the EC.

“That’s in the process of delineation. I don’t mind whatever name they choose. We, the political parties, have no say in this.

“Maybe they have a basis or rationale behind changing the name,” he told reporters when met after opening the triennial general meeting (TGM) of PDP Tasik Biru at the civic centre here on Sunday.

“So we leave it to the EC. I don’t mind if the name Tasik Biru disappears; I will still contest.”

Sarawak currently has 82 state seats.

In July last year, the State Legislative Assembly passed a Bill to increase the number to 99, with the implementation still subject to approval by Parliament.

Several recent online reports had circulated a supposedly leaked slide presentation detailing the proposed creation of the 17 new state seats, as well as the renaming of several existing constituencies including Tasik Biru to Singai.
On whether PDP would give way to other parties in certain constituencies as it had done previously, Henry said such decisions must first be discussed within the party and with the present ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“I have to bring it to my party because I cannot make this decision by myself. This is a party issue; I have to discuss it in the Supreme Council meeting.

“Of course if PDP is chosen, for example, GPS would also have to decide. So it will be based on the consensus of GPS and the party’s decision,” he said.

During the TGM, several branch chairmen under Tasik Biru had proposed for Henry to be elevated to a full ministerial position.

On this suggestion, he described it as merely a ‘grassroots expectation’.

“We should leave it to the prerogative of the Premier. We cannot pre-empt the Premier’s thoughts. We have to respect his wisdom, and it is better to leave it that way.

“If I were to be asked to remain as deputy minister, that’s fine. If I were to be asked to serve as deputy president of the party, that’s also fine.

“But don’t mention the full minister position because it may create issues. There are many people who are more senior than me,” Henry said.