KUCHING: Despite facing the threat of expulsion, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Datuk Ali Biju (pic) maintains that he is defending his Krian seat to fulfil the grassroots request.

       Ali said he was respecting the locals’ wishes for him to contest in the state polls.

       “This is a request from the people; we have to respect the wishes of the grassroots.”

       The Saratok MP said that Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was unaware of his decision to contest as Independent.

       “Maybe now he (Muhyiddin) knows after hearing of my nomination,” he said.

       On whether his contesting as an Independent would affect Bersatu, Ali said the matter had yet to be given full thought.

       “I can’t comment now as this decision (to contest) was made on the wishes of the people,” he said.

       Bersatu had earlier decided to sit out of the Sarawak state election and support its ally Gabungan Parti Sarawak instead to ensure the party would have the majority to form the state government.

       The 53-year-old is a two-term assemblyman for Krian, the seat he won under PKR ticket.

       In 2020, he left PKR to join Bersatu.

       Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said Muhyiddin had made public the party’s decision of not contesting in the polls.He pointed to the party constitution, which states that members who contest without permission will face stern disciplinary action, including “immediate cease of membership”.

       “The same regulation applies for Sarawak, and the party will announce this matter.

       “I call on all Bersatu members to work hand in hand to ensure a big victory for our GPS friends in this election.

       “Let us all play our role to assist the victory of our teammates,” said Wan Saiful.