By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING: All Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) candidates must undergo health checks before they can be nominated for the coming 13th Sarawak Election.
Its president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the requirement was in line with the prerogative of Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who wants all candidates to undergo medical checks before being considered for nomination.
He said candidates’ health was important as they needed to be physically fit to carry out their duties if elected.
He was responding to questions from reporters following concerns raised on social media over the alleged health condition of an SUPP incumbent and whether the individual would be able to contest in the coming election.
Dr Sim said SUPP had already submitted its list of proposed candidates, but the final announcement would be made by the Premier.
“It is still too early. Nomination day is still far away. There are so many parties and there will be no news if we keep talking about the election,” he told reporters after the official Mayor’s Walk 2026 at MBKS Boulevard today.
Asked whether seats traditionally contested by SUPP might now go to other component parties, Dr Sim declined to comment.
“It was already said before on this matter,” he replied, gesturing to indicate that he did not wish to elaborate.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Nov 28 for nomination, Dec 8 for early voting and Dec 12 for polling in the 13th Sarawak Election, which will see contests across all 82 State constituencies.
SUPP is one of the four component parties of GPS, alongside Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
SUPP contested 18 seats in the 2021 Sarawak Election, winning 13 and losing the remaining five, namely Bawang Assan, Engkilili and Batu Lintang to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), and Padungan and Pending to the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Following PSB’s dissolution, its former president Wong Soon Koh, who held Bawang Assan, and Engkilili incumbent Johnichal Rayong Ngipa joined PDP, while Batu Lintang incumbent See Chee How left the party. — DayakDaily
