The Ba’Kelalan assemblyman told a press conference at the state party headquarters here today that Adenan Satem’s legacy had also played a part in the decision not to contest the Tanjung Datu seat.
“It is basically a gesture of giving his successor, Abang Johari, and the state government (a chance) to carry on and implement all (of Adenan’s initiatives). We would like to see these implemented in the coming months or years.
“We are aware many will be against us for not contesting but we are also looking at the bigger picture,” Baru said, quoting Sun Tzu, “to bide one’s time and not attack at once”.
“Politically, there is no need (to contest) in that sense, because we are mainly focused on GE14,” said Baru, referring to the coming general election, which must be held by June next year.
The PKR man then heaped praise on Adenan saying the late chief minister had “rekindled and revitalised our vision and dreams by going back to reclaim our rights. Not only that, he has made very public our true history of Sarawak, and how it has come to help form Malaysia, not merely join it”.
“Adenan’s stand is consistent with our aspirations, the same as was made in PKR’s Sept 12, 2012 ‘Kuching Declaration’,” Baru added.
“We hope the new chief minister would do his best to carry out all the initiatives by Adenan, especially in regard to religious freedom and NCR issues,” he said.
Adenan had won the Tanjung Datu seat in last year’s Sarawak election with a majority of 5,892 votes. The PBB chief defeated PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan, who received only 468 votes.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Stephen Rundi Utom had recently urged the opposition not to contest the state seat out of respect for the late Adenan.
PBB sources have told FMT that Adenan’s wife, Jamilah Anu, is the leading candidate to contest the seat.
Another possible candidate is Adenan’s youngest son, Azizul Annuar Adenan, 26.