By Karen Bong
KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, will have the final say on the candidates for Batu Lintang and Bawang Assan in the coming Sarawak election, following the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)’s submission of its proposed candidate list.
SUPP president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the final decision on all GPS candidates rested with Abang Johari, who would issue the official candidate appointment letters (watikah) after discussions with the presidents of the coalition’s four component parties.
He said SUPP had submitted its list of proposed candidates to the Premier, including those for Batu Kawa (incumbent Dr Sim), Batu Kitang (incumbent Dato Lo Khere Chiang), Kota Sentosa (incumbent Wilfred Yap) and Meradong (incumbent Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing).
“On the seats, we have submitted the names to the Premier already. It is for the Premier to announce. On Bawang Assan, the Premier will solve it,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Batu Kawa Road to Stephen Yong Road at Moyan today.
Asked about the political future of Batu Lintang incumbent See Chee How who recently applied to join SUPP, Dr Sim said any decision concerning his candidacy and party membership would depend on the Premier.
“On his membership in SUPP, it all depends on the Premier. Once the decision has been made, then we will discuss with the party,” he explained.
Dr Sim stressed that the Premier had the final authority as he was responsible for signing the watikah, adding that discussions on individual candidates would only take place after the decision was made.
He jokingly cautioned prospective candidates against making premature election preparations before receiving official confirmation.
Recalling previous experiences, he said some aspiring candidates had already arranged photographs and printed campaign posters, only to discover that they were not selected.
“I have learned from experience where some of them go and take photographs, print posters, only to learn they did not get the watikah. What are you going to do with the posters,” he said.
Dr Sim added that the Premier would give candidates indications when the time was right, including asking some to proceed with their official photographs.
On Batu Kawa, where he is the incumbent, Dr Sim reiterated that he had long indicated his intention to remain in the constituency but had yet to receive the official appointment letter.
“I have long said that I stay in Batu Kawa. But we haven’t got the watikah,” he said.
Asked on his vision and mission if renominated to defend the seat, he declined to comment directly, instead hinting that more details would be revealed during the launch of the GPS manifesto.
“Wait for the launch. Just now you already got a glimpse of it. Otherwise later on when you launch the manifesto, you say nothing new. Wait lah, not long anymore and definitely before (Nov) 28 (Nomination Day),” he said.
Meanwhile, reflecting on the changing political landscape, Dr Sim said the level of interest among individuals seeking to contest under GPS had changed significantly since he first contested in 2011.
He recalled that back then, many were reluctant to take up the challenge, with prospective candidates telling each other to go ahead instead.
“Everybody said, ‘You go first, you go first.’ Nobody wants it. And now everybody says, ‘Me first, me first’,” he said, adding that the shift reflected the changes in Sarawak politics over the past 10 to 15 years. — DayakDaily
