LUBOK ANTU: Barisan Nasional (BN) director of operations for the Batang Ai by-election, Dato Sri Dr James Masing, yesterday dismissed speculations that the odds were in favour of Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR).

The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president brushed off Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s rating of ’55-45’ to PKR to win as a meaningless mathematical prediction.

Masing said contrary to Khalid’s claims, the ground swell was in favour of BN, adding that he was confident BN could win the seat with a higher majority.

“They can calculate as they like, they can even say 95 per cent because they can do so. But in actual fact, we will still win even by increased majority. I don’t worry about (this so-called) ratings by PKR,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan also played down Khalid’s claims, stressing that the people could judge for themselves on the past performance of Jawah as five-term MP for Lubok Antu which also covers Batang Ai.

“I don’t think our people are that stupid. Jawah, when he was our MP, he could not do anything for Batang Ai. Whereas under the present MP William Nyallau, there are many projects and funds allocated for the development here, including to the longhouses,” he said.

Dr Chan, who is Sarawak United People’s Party president, agreed that the charisma of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could attract voters to hear him speak but he believed the voters would not be easily taken in.

“When he (Anwar) was our deputy prime minister and finance minister, do you think he ever stepped foot in Batang Ai? Never!

“So why he suddenly cares so much about Sarawak? Why suddenly he cares so much about raising the living standard in Batang Ai” Won’t you, if you are a longhouse dweller, feel suspicious if suddenly this guy from the peninsula suddenly cares for you?,” asked Dr Chan.

Batang Ai by-election deputy director of operations Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas also said the BN candidate stood a better chance of winning.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president said the people could now see and enjoy the fruits of development under Nyallau, but not under Jawah when he served there from 1987 to 2008.

If the people realised how much they had suffered under Jawah, he said they would vote for the BN candidate to ensure continuity of development in their area.

“Jawah and I started as MPs almost at the same time. Just compare Betong to Lubok Antu. I have served Betong for six terms, and the area has progressed tremendously. But in Lubok Antu, not much development under Jawah,” he said.