By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 22: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian speculates that the latest day for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to announce the coalition’s list of candidates will be on Nov 3, two days before nomination day of Nov 5.
His logical deduction was that some candidates need at least two days to return to their areas, considering eventualities such as flight delay or cancellation, to prepare for nomination and ensure they make it in time for nomination.
“It cannot be later than two days before nomination. Because once you get your watika (candidate appointment letter), you have to fly back to your area quickly.
“I am very sure he won’t give (the watika) the day before. What if there is a flight issue?” Dr Sim said.
On his own party’s candidate list, Dr Sim said the list was ready, and he had submitted it to Abang Johari. However, he could not confirm any candidacy because Abang Johari’s signature is needed on the watika.
“If SUPP is using the SUPP logo, I can make the decision. But we are using the GPS logo, and under the GPS logo, only one person can sign.
“Why do you think (Umno president Datuk Sri Ahmad) Zahid is so powerful (now), more powerful than (caretaker) prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri) at the moment? Because Zahid is the one who signs the BN (Barisan Nasional) watika. Even the prime minister cannot sign his own watika.
“Same thing, this one (Sarawak’s GPS watika) is going to be signed by our GPS chairman (Abang Johari),” Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak Deputy Premier, explained.
He said GPS leaders knew that the 15th General Election (GE15) was around the corner, and the topic of candidacy had been constantly discussed while the performance of potential candidates was being closely monitored.
“I also want it (the announcement of candidacy) to be made now because everybody wants to get on with it. I also want to get on with it; otherwise, people think I don’t (want to) tell.
He said he could reveal the SUPP list, but there is always the possibility that the names finally announced may not be the same ones he had in mind.
“Our premier has 40 years of experience in politics. So I am very sure he knows when is the (right) time. But (it should be) very soon,” Dr Sim said when met by the media after the launch of SUPP NewBees and Puteri Wings at the party’s headquarters today.
The first official recruit of SUPP NewBees and Puteri (ages 18 to 28) saw more than 200 of them from across Sarawak gathering and carrying out a training and fun brainstorming session at SUPP headquarters before the launch.
Also present were SUPP deputy president Dato Sri Dr Richard Riot Jaem, deputy president Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting, youth chief Michael Ting, women chief Kho Teck Wan, Kota Sentosa branch chief Wilfred Yap, Bintulu branch chief Johnny Pang, and Dudong branch chief Wong Ching Yong. — DayakDaily
