SARATOK: Villagers in the rural constituencies of Beting Maro and Saribas went out of their way to see PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim whom they have only read about in the news.

       He was here to bolster support for his party in the election campaign.

       Despite Covid-19 standard operating procedure in place and the rainy weather, the villagers came out to catch a glimpse of Anwar, who spent about half an hour at several localities before moving on to another place.

       At Pusa in the Beting Maro constituency, Anwar told a small crowd at the rural town to stop supporting Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), saying that their constituency had seen little development over the years.

       “You must stand up and tell them that you will not be fooled any more.

       “Please give your vote to Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, the PKR candidate in Beting Maro,” Anwar said in a brief speech.

       Anwar also went to the neighbouring constituency of Saribas to support PKR candidate Patrick Kamis.

       “Patrick is a formidable candidate, he will shake the state assembly if he gets to speak there,” said Anwar when visiting a longhouse in Debak.

       At Kampung Debak Laut, curious villagers, including those in PKR T-shirts, came out to greet Anwar’s entourage, who could only pass by due to time constraints.

       “We understand his tight schedule but we are happy that he came to wave at us, it brings excitement to this quiet village,” said villager Bolhan Bakri.

       Later at night, Anwar visited Tebedu where PKR candidate Senior William Rade is contesting.

       Meanwhile, PKR advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail visited the rural constituencies of Marudi and Mulu to lobby for the party’s candidates Elias Lipi and Roland Engan.

       She visited several longhouses and also had a walkabout at Marudi bazaar.

       Only a week remains for campaigning as polling day for the 12th Sarawak election will be on Dec 18.