KUCHING: SUPP Pending branch assistant secretary Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian on Saturday night dismissed talks that he might be appointed a senator.
Indicating that he was not keen in taking over the senatorship from SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sim Kheng Hui whose tenure expired last December, he said he would be too busy as he had been travelling throughout the nation to ‘pass on the baton’ in many hospitals.
“I just came back from Penang and Penang did not offer me senatorship, nothing,” he jested when asked to confirm whether he had received any notification from the party.
When a reporter pressed “What about Sarawak?”, the cardiologist said: “Sarawak did not offer me, either. I have not heard of it.” A recent news report cited an inside source that either Dr Sim or SUPP publicity and information secretary Datuk Alfred Yap would be recommended as a senator.
When told that Yap’s name was also mentioned, he said: “Datuk Alfred Yap is more experienced and most importantly, he is a free man. I have been very busy.”
Dr Sim said he had devoted himself to ‘serving the best interest of the country by passing on the baton in many hospitals in Malaysia’ after the state election in April.
“I am giving the best shot and I am tied up with doing what I need to do. At this point of time, my job is to make sure the baton is passed on.
“We do not overstay so I need to share my experience with doctors in hospitals in Malaysia, and with this, I will feel that I have done my part for this country even if I leave one day,” he added.
He refused to clarify what he meant by ‘leaving the country one day’, pointing out that “nobody knows what will happen in the future.”
He was quick to add: “I can go to Hong Kong, Singapore and many other places, not necessarily Australia. We don’t know about our future.”
Asked whether the senatorship, if bestowed on him, would offer him a better platform to serve the public, Dr Sim quipped: “Senator(ship) is appointed by Agong. Datuk Yap is freer and he should be appointed. I am busy.”
Dr Sim, the BN-SUPP candidate for Pending, lost to two-time assemblywoman Violet Yong, who is state DAP treasurer, by a majority of 7,595 votes last April 16. Yong garnered 14,375 votes. In 2006, Yong defeated Sim Kheng Hui with a majority of over 3,000 votes. Later, Sim was appointed a senator.