Ali Biju withdraws from Krian contest after advice from Muhyiddin

Saratok MP Ali Biju has withdrawn from the race for the Krian state seat in the upcoming Sarawak election, following unhappiness in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which had accused his party Bersatu of going back on its agreement not to contest the state polls.

In a statement, Ali who had intended to contest the election as an independent, said he was aware that the decision would affect ties between Bersatu and GPS.

“I have received advice from the party’s top leadership as well as assurance from Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin on the understanding of the national political framework agreed on between PN and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg,” he said.

“I humbly and sincerely withdraw as a candidate for the state seat of Krian and will give my wholehearted support to the GPS candidate, Friday Belik.”

Ali, who won the Krian state seat on a PKR ticket in 2011 and 2016, had aimed to defend it for a third term in a four-way fight against Friday, Musa Dinggat of Parti Sarawak Bersatu and Danny Kuan from Parti Bumi Kenyalang.

However, Abang Johari had expressed disappointment in the decision, saying it went against Bersatu’s promise that none of its party members would contest in the Sarawak election.

Muhyiddin, who is president of Bersatu, had said on Nov 27 that his party would sit out the election out of respect for the wishes of the GPS leadership.

He also said Bersatu had chosen to stay out of the contest because it believed GPS had the ability to win and that GPS had supported the PN-led federal government when he was the prime minister.