KUCHING: UPP has declared its full support for BN Tanjong Datu candidate Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.
It president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the party had instructed its leaders, members and friends to go all out to ensure a resounding victory for Jamilah.
“We will play our role to ensure that Datuk Jamilah will win,” Wong told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He said the party supported the candidacy of Jamilah ‘because she is the most qualified and suitable person’.
“She was with the late Tanjong Datu assemblyman (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) who is also former chief minister when he went to the ground.
“Sometimes in his absence due to his busy schedule as chief minister, Datuk Jamilah was the one representing him in the area. Because of her constant appearance on the ground and her approachable personality, she has built a strong connection with the grassroots. She knows the issues in the area like the palm of her hand.
“Such being the case, she is the most suitable person to continue what has been left behind by the late chief minister,” said Wong who is Second Finance Minister.
Wong said the party knew full well that due to both Adenan and Jamilah’s popularity and the fact that the area is a PBB stronghold, Jamilah had a high chance to retain the seat for the party.
“What we hope to do is to help the BN machinery in such a way that she will win with a big majority, comparable to that of Datuk Adenan in the last election,” said Wong.
In the May 7 state election, Adenan was given a 92 per cent support by garnering 6,360 votes out of 6,936 voters who turned out. His opponent Jazolkipli Numan from PKR managed to poll only 468 votes.
Jamilah is fielded by PBB for Tanjong Datu by-election following the demise of Adenan on Jan 11.
The 62-year-old first timer is facing challenges from State Reform Party (STAR) Johnny Aput and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) Rapelsan Richard Hamit on Feb 18.