By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 2: Batu Kawah incumbent Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian is well-prepared for the upcoming “final examination” (polling day) on Dec 18 as he is not relying on last-minute cramming, having worked extensively on the ground to serve constituents for the past five years.
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president believes the people of Batu Kawah will evaluate Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)’s achievements and track record, especially what GPS had done for the constituency.
“Just like sitting for examinations, if you try to do last-minute study, it is always not easy.
“For me, I want to thank my voters for their support, cooperation and trust over the last five years. The results speak for themselves.
“So I appeal to my voters to give me another five years and together we will “Majulah Batu Kawah”,” he said when doorstopped by the press after the announcement of candidates for the N14 Batu Kawah seat by the Election Commission (EC) at the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Headquarters here today.
Dr Sim, a cardiologist, will face three challengers in the upcoming 12th Sarawak Election in the persons of Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii of Democratic Action Party (DAP), former Pujut assemblyman Fong Pau Teck of Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) and Chai Kueh Khun of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).
Congratulating all candidates for the successful nomination, Dr Sim hopes to see a clean and fair contest over the next 12 days of campaigning.
“But in this age, there is a lot of fake news and abuse on social media which is not our culture.
“We have covered every quarter but it is still not enough because Covid-19 has tied us down,” he said.
Despite the limitation on campaigning, Dr Sim seemed not too worried but nevertheless will stay on his toes.
“I have been very active on my social media with daily posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram and so on from day one and not during election only, mainly because I want people who live in Batu Kawah to be with me, knowing what we are doing so that we can work together.
“It is a way to send out notifications and messages to people as some projects implemented could bring some inconvenience to the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Yii who also studied medicine but is currently not practising, expressed his hopes to to build up Sarawakians and the people of Batu Kawah.
“I am not against development but development must have direct impact on and benefits for the normal folks.
“I hope this will be a healthy and progressive political competition. This can set the tone and foundation for polls in the future,” he said.
Dr Yii called on the people of Batu Kawah, especially the young people, to come together in this journey to change the landscape of Batu Kawah and even think of development that will have a bigger impact on the future of Sarawak. — DayakDaily
