KOTA SAMARAHAN: A Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia division leader is running as an independent candidate following his disappointment with the party's decision to opt out of the Sarawak state election.
Samarahan Bersatu division chief Ismawi Mohammad, from Kampung Baru, here, is one of the six candidates contesting the Muara Tuang seat.
Ismawi said he had been yearning for the opportunity to be fielded as a candidate in the state election.
"When the Bersatu leadership at the federal level had announced the party would sit out the election, I decided to contest in the poll as an independent candidate," he said.
Ismawi said the constituents here wanted a local from Kota Samarahan to represent them and be their voice in the Sarawak legislative assembly.
"In fact, my decision to contest in the polls received support not only from Bersatu members but also the local community who wanted a young local leader as their candidate of choice.
"With the support from the community and with the experience I have, I am taking up the challenge to enter the polls to champion the struggles of the people here and generally around Sarawak," he said.
Ismawi said the people in Muara Tuang were still longing for infrastructure development, education and socio-economic development.
"The younger generation, especially, is facing difficulties in securing proper employment despite having good education qualification.
"I will ensure that they will be given all the opportunity they deserve if I am given the mandate to become the state assemblyman for Muara Tuang," he said.
Ismawi is facing incumbent Datuk Idris Buang of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Other aspiring candidates vying for majority support from 18,644 registered voters in the constituency included Parti Amanah Negara's Daud Eali, Yakub Khalid of Parti Sarawak Bersatu, Sagandin Sulaiman of Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak's Hipni Sulaiman.
