By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 30: The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Working Committee (CWC) will deliberate on Batu Lintang incumbent See Chee How’s application to join the party at its next meeting, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also SUPP president, said See’s application would be considered together with other membership applications received by the party, as the CWC meets only four times a year.
“I have mentioned previously at PBB headquarters that he has applied, but his membership needs to be looked at during the next Central Working Committee meeting.
“We have to look at all the applications for membership because people apply throughout the whole year, while the Central Working Committee only meets four times a year. So, whenever we meet, we will look at them,” he told reporters when met after the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple’s Maha Kumbhabhishegam (Temple Consecration Ceremony) today.
See submitted his application to join SUPP on Oct 27, a day after the Sarawak Legislative Assembly was officially dissolved on Oct 26, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak Election.
His application was handed to SUPP Central organising secretary Datuk Matthew Chen, witnessed by Dr Sim and party secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
The move came after See had previously indicated in January that he would not join any political party until the State Legislative Assembly was dissolved.
See, who first won the Batu Lintang seat in 2011 under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket, was re-elected in 2016 before being sacked from PKR in April 2020 following internal differences.
He subsequently joined Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in May 2020 and retained Batu Lintang in the 2021 Sarawak election, defeating Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Sih Hua Tong by a 93-vote majority.
However, he left PSB in August 2022 and continued serving as an independent assemblyman.
His latest application marks a significant development in his political journey, with SUPP being one of the four component parties of GPS, the ruling State coalition.
On SUPP’s preparations for the Sarawak election, Dr Sim said the party would submit its proposed candidates to Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for consideration.
“We have to wait for the Premier to decide on the candidates. I mean, we will propose all the candidates, and then there will be a few rounds because the Premier has to vet through all the different agencies.
“Sometimes the results come back and the candidates are not suitable, so we may have to swap around,” he said.
He added that all prospective candidates, regardless of gender, must first undergo and pass medical examinations, in line with the Premier’s stated requirement.
“Premier has stated that everyone must pass the medical test first, whether men or women candidates,” he said.
The dissolution of the 82-seat Sarawak Legislative Assembly has set in motion preparations for the Sarawak election, which must be held within 60 days of dissolution. The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce the key dates for nomination and polling on Nov 6. — DayakDaily
