By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 22: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has signalled his intention to defend the Batu Kawah seat in the 13th Sarawak Election (PRN13), saying he has no reason to move to another constituency as long as voters continue to support him.
When asked whether he would defend Batu Kawa or move to another constituency in the coming election, Dr Sim said his decision would depend on whether residents wanted him to continue representing them.
“There’s no reason why I need to move away from Batu Kawa, if people in Batu Kawa want me,” he told reporters at the Stampin Resettlement Scheme Flood Mitigation Project site in Jalan Stampin Baru here today.
He said he often asked residents whether Batu Kawa was better than it was 10 years ago, and whether they wanted it to improve further over the next five years.
“Even IKEA will come to Batu Kawa soon,” he added.
On the timing of the next State election, Dr Sim said he had “no idea” when Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would dissolve the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS).
Dr Sim first won the Batu Kawah seat in the 2016 Sarawak Election and retained it in the 2021 polls as a candidate for the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). He secured 7,827 votes in 2021, winning 70.2 per cent of the votes cast.
The last Sarawak Election was held on Dec 18, 2021. The current term of the State Legislative Assembly is due to expire in February 2027, although the next election is expected to be held earlier.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said on Oct 17 that the election was likely to take place in December, with the timing dependent on when Abang Johari dissolves the Assembly. — DayakDaily
