KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) top brass are certain that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has discussed the possibility of fielding direct Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the coming 14th general election (GE14) with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
On Sunday, it was reported by a national daily that Zahid had said there was a possibility that direct BN candidates would be fielded in the election in order to solve seat tussles between BN component parties.
However, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had told reporters on Sunday that he believed that what Zahid had said was ‘mere talk’ as under the BN principle, only candidates from BN component parties could contest under the BN ticket.
Reacting to Dr Sim’s view yesterday, UPP secretary-general George Lo described it as highly disrespectful of the Deputy Prime Minister and was uncalled for.
He believes that Zahid could have discussed the matter with Najib before making the statement.
Lo reminded Dr Sim that he (Lo) and UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh had met Najib recently at the Prime Minister’s request.
“Dr Sim is aware of our meeting as he was waiting outside to see the Prime Minister when we came out of the Prime Minister’s office at the time. From our meeting, we have every confidence that the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) have the wisdom to make a decision that will ensure maximum victory for BN by placing the interests of the coalition ahead of individuals,” he added.
Although SUPP had been making strident demands that they must have seven seats and not one less in GE14, the recent state election had shown that the decision on candidates would be based on winnability and not the archaic historical claim of a party, Lo claimed.
Meanwhile, when contacted, UPP youth chief and vice-president Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa said: “Most importantly the BN candidate is winnable as what Tok Nan had said during the last state election. It must be inclusive”.
He was referring to former chief minister the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
On the statement by Dr Sim that Zahid’s comment on direct BN candidates could not be counted on as the latter was not the Malaysian premier, Rayong said: “No deputy would simply say important and sensitive things without the green light or clearance from his or her boss”.
Direct BN candidacy was the solution to multiple claims on seats by BN components and friendly parties in the 2016 state election.
It appears that BN may follow suit to resolve multiple claims by BN parties on seats during the next general election if taking into account what Zahid had proposed in his interview with Berita Harian.