SANTUBONG CANDIDATES: (From left) Mura, Zulrusdi, Wan Junaidi and Affendi.
KUCHING: Santubong parliamentary seat which was hotly debated to be a fight between BN, PKR and STAR was given a surprise with the inclusion of independent candidate Affendi Jeman, 50, who is the state chairman of the Umno Sponsors in Sarawak Movement (Jpuns).
With the inclusion of Affendi, Santubong will see a four-corner fight on May 5 against incumbent BN-PBB Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, PKR deputy state chairman Zulrusdi Hol and STAR Mura Kadir.
Accompanied by only a handful of supporters, Affendi and his proposer Majid Meta and seconder Ramlan Ismail arrived at the Santubong nomination centre at 8.40am.
“My mission is clear, I want to bring Umno to enter Sarawak,” said Affendi prior to handing his nomination form to the election commission yesterday.
Holding an advanced diploma in business administration, Affendi also pledged to become a full-time MP and assures that the people’s voices will be heard in the Dewan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi is confident he will retain his parliamentary seat despite facing a four-corner fight against new and seasoned campaigners.
Working very hard since winning the Santubong parliamentary seat in 2008, Wan Junaidi said critical issues pertaining to the environment and land have been solved through dialogue and legitimate procedures.
The BN machinery and villagers in the area said Wan Junaidi is already in high spirits and have pledged their full support.
During the nomination, Wan Junaidi was proposed by Rokiah Temben and seconder Dalijah Jool who arrived at the nomination centre at 8.30am.
The first to arrive at the nomination centre at 8.11am was STAR’s Mura Kadir who is also a former PKR man and assistant director of Sarawak Customs Department.
Accompanied by his proposer Fatimah Deng and seconder Habibah Kadir, Mura is fighting for a change in Santubong.
“It is up to the people to interpret what I mean by change,” said Mura, originally from Kampung Panglima Seman.
PKR’s Zulrusdi Hol, who arrived at the nomination centre at 8.50am, was accompanied by his proposer Sobey Daud and seconder Bolek Meludin.
All four candidates’ registration were confirmed at 10.30am by returning officer Mahri Sarpawi.
“There is no withdrawal and no objection received since the registration period from 9am to 10am,” said Mahri, who is also Kuching District Officer.