Only winnable parties in new seats — Rayong

4

KUCHING: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa has expressed his hope that Barisan Nasional (BN) will place winnable candidates and parties in the proposed 11 new state seats.

He pointed out that prospective candidates for the seats should include those from United People’s Party (UPP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

“I hope that the 11 new state seats will be given to winnable candidates so that BN can further strengthen their position especially in the upcoming state election,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Rayong, who is also UPP pioneer committee member, emphasised that the additional seats would
be very meaningful for the people, especially in terms of development and political stability.

“Let the top leaders of BN under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem decide who is the rightful candidate and party for the seats. We at UPP believe that BN and the chief minister will give priority to winnable candidates and also consider UPP and Teras in this,” he said, adding that this would also enable BN to make a clean sweep of the new seats.

The Election Commission (EC) recently announced the proposed 11 new state seats, thus increasing the total number of constituencies in the state to 82 from 71.

The proposed new seats are Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Triboh, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Selirik, Murum, Samalaju and Long Lama.