Their names, constituencies revealed yesterday, more BN candidates to be announced soon
Adenan (centre) and BN-SUPP candidates raise their hands in unison to show solidarity. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: Ten candidates from SUPP have made it to the elite list of BN candidates for the coming 11th state election.
This was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at a press conference in his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
“The list of candidates from SUPP who will be standing with the ‘dacing’ symbol are Peter Pau for Padungan, Milton Foo Tiang Wee (Pending), Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang), Wilfred Yap Yau Shin (Kota Sentosa), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Francis Harden (Simanggang), Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek), Dato Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew (Piasau) and Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin (Senadin).
“For Batu Kawa, it’s Adenan…that’s a joke, okay? It’s (SUPP president) Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian,” he said in jest, which led to those present bursting into boisterous laughter.
The state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman pointed out that he would be announcing the candidate for Repok on Friday as he would be in the constituency then.
The announcement came as a surprise to reporters who jam-packed the press conference as many had expected Adenan to announce his list of direct BN candidates.
This led a reporter to inform the chief minister that he thought the list of direct BN candidates would be announced during the press conference.
Adenan then replied: “Yes, there will be a time that I will announce it. I will go ‘party by party’. I just announced candidates for PRS the other day and today (yesterday) is SUPP’s turn. However it’s not complete yet.
“Afterwards, it will be PBB. But as far as PBB is concerned, most of the 40 (candidates) have been named. Only a few remained.”
When asked if it was safe to presume that the remaining seats SUPP had been vocally vying for would be allocated to BN-friendly United People’s Party (UPP), Adenan retorted: “You can assume anything you want. But just wait until the day I announce it.”
He stressed that names of candidates for the remaining seats would be announced a week before nomination day.
“I will announce from time to time until at least one week before nomination day. I don’t know when is nomination day but at least one week to give candidates time to prepare papers and set up his or her organisation.”
As the announcement of BN candidates had been staggered, Adenan was asked if this was due to difficulties in selecting the candidates or because of intense lobbying by parties in the coalition.
Adenan (second right) speaking during the jam-packed press conference at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.
“There is intense lobbying for the BN symbol because it is a very popular symbol. I don’t hear other people fighting to use other symbols including that of opposition.
“However, because they know they stand a good chance of winning with the BN symbol, that’s why they are vying for it,” he remarked.
On whether a consensus had been reached between SUPP and UPP on the allocation of seats, he reiterated that there would be a consensus one week before nomination day.
However, when suggested that consensus might not have been reached yet, Adenan said: “Well, the consensus has nearly been reached. Let me worry about that. You don’t worry about that.”
The press conference was also attended by state BN secretary general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and chief political secretary to the chief minister Abdullah Saidol.