The by-election, set for Feb 18, was called after the seat fell vacant following the death of former Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem.
PBB secretary-general Stephen Rundi Utom asked that the opposition not contest in the by-election “out of respect for our late chief minister”.
He made the request during a meeting with reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the ceremony for the swearing in of the state cabinet here yesterday.
“We Sarawakians respect Adenan, but contesting in an election is a democratic process. Even Adenan would not be opposed to us defending our rights in the spirit of democracy by participating in a fair fight.
“If PBB believes that to contest the vacant seat is a sign of disrespect, then PBB themselves should not put up a candidate,” Soo said.
Meanwhile, DAP leaders have also dismissed Stephen’s call.
Abdul Aziz Isa, who is special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said the opposition had the “prerogative and right to contest for any vacant state seat”.
“As a politician, Stephen Rundi should know that Malaysia is a democratic country, not a communist country like China, Cuba or North Korea.
“So, this is not a question of respect for the late Adenan Satem. It is about electing a capable person who could be entrusted by the constituents with responsibility,” he said.
“Yes, Sarawakians love the late Adenan but that does not necessarily mean that they love Barisan Nasional.
“And BN should also take any contest for Tanjong Datu as a litmus test for the rakyat’s support for their leadership. They should be brave enough to face the voters,” Aziz said.
Serian DAP branch chairman Edward Andrew Luwak said the by-election would actually be an opportunity for BN to prove its popularity.
“If Stephen is looking at it positively, he should not suggest a no-contest but welcome a contest.”
Edward said it was also wrong to suggest that the opposition had less respect for the late Adenan.
“All parties, the general public, political leaders, including opposition leaders, all joined in the mourning period. Opposition party offices flew their flags at half mast during the entire mourning period, out of respect for the former chief minister.
“But now we have a democratic process to choose a representative and anyone qualified to offer themselves as a candidate may contest,” he said.
“Life must go on,” he added.