10 more SUPP candidates named for Sarawak election

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (C) join hands with the line-up of candidates from Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak (SUPP) for the 11th Sarawak Election at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Kuching on April 6, 2016. — Bernama

KUCHING: With just a week to go before the dissolution of the Sarawak State Assembly, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has named 10 more candidates to be fielded in the forthcoming state elections.

Adenan said he will continue to name the candidates from time to time and the whole list will be out one week before nomination day.

"The intense lobbying for seats by Sarawak based Barisan Nasional (BN) parties leaves me with no choice but to take my time and name the candidates party by party.

"Everyone wants the BN symbol because it's a popular symbol and they know they can win their seat with it," he said during a press conference today.

Adenan today announced the first batch of 10 candidates from the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).

The candidates are party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kawah), secretary general Datuk Sebastian Ting (Piasau), Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Milton Foo (Pending), Peter Pau (Padungan), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Datuk Francis Harden (Simanggang) Cheng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek) and Wilfred Yap (Kota Sentosa).

He added that there was intense negotiations going on among BN parties and their breakaways, the SUPP and United People's Party (UPP), and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat.

Last week, he announced the names of 11 candidates from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

The chief minister has also announced the names of 30 of 40 PBB candidates so far.

Adenan, who is also the Sarawak BN chairman, said he will ensure the best possible candidates are picked.

"I look at their backgrounds, make sure all the necessary checks are done before they are named," he said.

On the BN direct candidates, he said he will decide when to make the announcement.

Adenan has already named the first BN direct candidate, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil for the Mambong state seat, who is the state health assistant minister.

Dr Jerip left SUPP together with state local government and community development minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) to form UPP.

Posted on 6 April 2016 - 06:19pm

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