KUCHING: She may be petite but 27-year-old lawyer Athina Klaywa Sim knows what she is doing when she took the decision to stand in the election for the new Serembu seat.
Being a younger candidate, the PKR member of Bengoh branch believed her involvement in the political arena would help bring a positive change to the people of Sarawak.
“I am aware that my opponents have used my age against me. I will not be surprised if they continue to denigrate me and PKR during this campaign period.
“But they fail to realise though that because I am a novice, I have not been tainted by money politics, dirty tactics or corruption and because of that, I will serve the people and fight for their rights with integrity and honesty,” she said.
Athina, who is a Sino-Dayak, will face a four-cornered fight with BN candidate Miro Simuh, State Reform Party (Star) candidate Buln Patrick Rios and independent Nyomek Rios.
Prior to joining PKR seven months ago, Athina was already active in fighting for the Bidayuh community and was vocal in criticising senior leaders, including some in Barisan Nasional.
She slammed prominent Bidayuh leader and political analyst Datuk Peter Minos for criticising PKR by saying the opposition party was using young Dayaks to confuse and instigate people against each other.
Being a young lawyer and a novice in politics, Minos also mentioned that nobody seemed to bother about Athina.
“He (Minos) said PKR is not doing anything for the Bidayuhs and this is a lie. In fact the party, including myself, have spent many years fighting for the Bidayuh’s right to land.
“Being under BN for many years, they (BN) cannot even provide street lights in Kampung Puak, Krokong, and Tanjung Durian,” Athina said.
“BN has never allowed a Bidayuh lady to contest in any elections but PKR has given me this opportunity because for PKR, the voice of a Bidayuh, the voice of a lady, the voice of youth must be heard in the Sarawak state assembly.”
The Bidayuhs make up 70.8 per cent of the 9,065 voters in Serembu.
Based on Minos's hunch, BN would likely prevail in the newly-created seat because the Bidayuh would continue to remain loyal to BN for continued development and a better future.
“I may not have the chance to win but I hope the Serembu voters will see above the money politics and political games that might be used by my opponents and will choose me instead for my honesty and sincerity.
“Beside, a novice but sincere politician is far better than an experience but dishonest one."