SUPP’s candidates are qualified — Chin

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FOR OUR HEROES: (From left) Chin and Lee putting their donations into the Lahad Datu Heroes Fund box.

MIRI: President of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said he is confident that the names on SUPP’s list of candidates for the coming general election, which have been forwarded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, are qualified and have passed the screening.

“So far, he (PM) has not called me to discuss about the list, so I assume our candidates are okay,” he said when met by reporters at the Military Community Volunteering Day 2013 held at Miri City Council (MCC) field yesterday.

However, he did not deny that there might be changes involving Stampin parliamentary constituency but that would only be decided by the PM should any changes be made.

Touching on the minimum period of campaigning of 11 days, he said he agreed with the time frame given saying that it was sufficient for the candidates including independent candidates to promote themselves.

“I feel that 11 days is okay. It is not too long, neither is it too short.  I believe the candidates will have ample time to work on their campaign and we also have enough time to warm up our election machinery,” he said.

Earlier in his officiating address, Chin said the programme will provide insights and improve the general public’s knowledge on the roles and duty of the military as well as other government agencies.

According to him, the three-day programme was held simultaneously in 29 venues nationwide including Sibu and Miri for Sarawak from April 5 to 7.

“The main objective of this programme is to bring government agencies closer to the people and win the hearts and minds of the rakyat,” he said.

Meanwhile, members of the public present at the function were introduced to military equipment and entertained with martial arts and self-defence demonstration by the military.

Also held during the event was a fundraising drive to raise money for the Lahad Datu Heroes Fund.

The event was organised by the 20th Battalion of the Royal Army Malay Regiment in collaboration with government agencies.

Among those present at the launching ceremony were Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industries Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Miri mayor Lawrence Lai, Miri Resident Anthonio Kahti Galis, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, political secretary to the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Sebastian Ting and Deputy Commanding Officer of Battalion 20 RAMD Major Harif.