By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Jan 19: SUPP will retain its seven incumbents in the coming 12th state election, revealed its president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“All the incumbents of SUPP (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party) will defend their seats. All the others will come out in stages. I can’t reveal everything (as of now). I can’t reveal the cats out in one go…,” Dr Sim told journalists after officiating at the Chinese Leaders’ New Year Open House here tonight.
He added that the party will announce the rest of the candidates for its remaining seats in stages.
“We can’t tell whether the election is held this year, only the CM knows,” he said.
On a related issue whether SUPP MPs will be fielded in the coming election, Dr Sim said the party would hold on to its principle of not fielding sitting MPs.
“We try to share the workload. And in the past, unless (it’s) exceptional circumstances. Otherwise, we don’t encourage.
“There are a lot of young, capable Sarawakians, and we want to share our responsibilities and workload. You want us to be like DAP (Democratic Action Party)? Everyone gets two salaries,” he said.
Asked if SUPP has been asked to submit its candidate list to the chief minister, Dr Sim said, “Not yet.
“I said, all incumbents will stay. When you guys asked the CM, he never told, he said he didn’t know. Why are you so anxious to know (when the state election will be held)?”
The seven SUPP incumbents are Dr Sim himself (Batu Kawah), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Datuk Francis Harden (Simanggang), Ding Kuong Hiing (Meradong), Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (Repok), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin) and Datuk Sebastian Ting (Piasau).
On his Batu Kawah seat, Dr Sim who is also Local Government and Housing Minister said he will try his best to work for the people and let the results speak for themselves. — DayakDaily
