APNU’s young blood-Birbar warns of Wolves in Sheep’s clothing

August 26, 2025

“We are living in a Lamborghini economy but only a few people are living a Lamborghini lifestyle, when we fight and scrape to live a donkey cart lifestyle.”

This, according to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate, Rivaldo Birbar—rallying supporters on Monday night at Wakenaam—as parties head into their final week of electioneering ahead of the September 1 elections.

The APNU newcomer was adamant, “…a lot of them will come to you as wolves in sheep’s clothing and tell you they know how hard it is for you to live in this economy. Nonsense! They are billionaires and trillionaires.”

According to Birbar, “When you’re voting for the APNU, you will be voting for a 35 per cent increase in public servant salary. You will be voting for the minimum wage to be no less than $200,000. The tax threshold will be raised to $400,000” and quipped “You won’t have to purchase hot dog tickets to get those benefits.”

Dismissing claims that new roads alone constitute development, he said “… when you go to the supermarket, do you carry concrete and asphalt?… No, you don’t.”

He in fact contended,  :…it is the government’s duty to build these roads,”  adding that “development” as trumpeted under the incumbent in fact … is deception.”

Recounting other complaints on-island, Birbar related, “..the water cuts off, the water comes in like mauby. The current (electricity) cuts off, and the fridge blows.”

On agriculture, he claimed the government’s assistance is merely tokenistic and recalls an engagement held with residents ahead of the activity.

“Today we asked the farmer, are you benefiting from this government? He said yes, he’s receiving fertiliser… two bags of fertiliser. While we welcome that… did the two bags of fertiliser transform your lives? Did it build generational wealth?”

An APNU administration, he said, would “incentivise” and “pay you to plant your crops.”