By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, July 2: SUPP Pujut has refuted claims made by former Miri mayor Lawrence Lai that he can contest in the Pujut seat for the upcoming 12th state election.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Pujut in a press statement said it does not agree that Lai, who is a party member from another branch, contest in the seat.
The party branch stressed that any member who wants to contest in the Pujut seat must first be endorsed by the branch and obtain support from the party’s leadership.
“SUPP Pujut branch together with Krokop sub-branch released a statement today in response to the statement by Lawrence Lai who is interested to become the Sarawak state election candidate for N.74 Pujut.
“SUPP Pujut does not allow any other branch members slotting in directly to become our candidate without the approval from SUPP Pujut and SUPP Krokop committees.
“Before this, Lai had never had the experience in on-ground (sic) services to our voters and he has no idea on the needs of our voters.
“Hence, any [person] who is interested to be the candidate must first obtain the approval and support from SUPP Pujut and SUPP Krokop,” SUPP Pujut asserted in a statement.
SUPP Pujut also highlighted it does not endorse Lai who publicly said in the media that he wants to contest for the Pujut seat.
In the meantime, SUPP Pujut revealed its branch chairman Adam Yii who is also Miri mayor has been leading a team on the ground to gather feedback on problems faced by the Pujut community.
It noted that despite the Pujut seat being vacant, its members are working hard to serve the community there.
It highlighted its members have been helping the public apply for the Kenyalang Gold Card, distribute food rations during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period and helping the local community to apply for state government aid.
SUPP Pujut added that Yii has also been working hard to set up the SUPP Krokop sub-branch office. — DayakDaily
