Final list of BN candidates to be announced simultaneously
KUCHING: The final list of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates, including those in Sarawak, will be announced simultaneously nationwide.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said he had discussed with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on BN’s final list of candidates in Sarawak.
“We have got the final list and we will announce later together with the Prime Minister,” he told reporters after the launch of Sehati Research Institute at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters here yesterday.
Asked if his party, Parti Bumiputera Bersatu PBB), would drop any incumbent, he said a few would be dropped but he declined to name any of them.
On the controversial Saratok seat, Abang Johari who is also state BN chairman, said they have more or less decided on the candidate.
Asked if it is going to be given to Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), he nodded to indicate yes before he replied verbally, “we will announce later.”
Ask if SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian would be contesting in Stampin, he said, “that I wouldn’t know.”
Commenting on the announcement that Parliament would be dissolved today (Saturday), he said he hoped the people of Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole would chose for BN’s continuity so that they could continue to develop the nation in much better situation.
“I am confident the people will make the right choice to elect the right government later on,” he said.
Dr Sim when commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement said finally the day has arrived.
“We are so happy. Otherwise from May until now it has been quite a long journey.
“While the public will be the final judge, I hope this election is not for the people in Sarawak to always say that at the state level they vote for BN and at federal level, they vote for the opposition.
“For this election, every seat is important for us, because we want a very strong BN for us to negotiate our autonomy,” he said.
Asked if he will contest in the coming election, he simply said, “You will know when the time comes.”
On SUPP’s seats, he reiterated that his party would be getting all the seven seats that had been traditionally contested by SUPP.
“The Chief Minister has said no more BN direct. Whoever wants to contest under SUPP he must be SUPP members,” he said.
Dr Sim stressed that SUPP wanted to win more than three seats saying they did not want 200 percent only.
“If only 200 percent improvement it’s going to be difficult for us. Our key performance index (KPI) is higher than 200 percent,” he said.
Asked if SUPP can win all the seven seats he said he could not tell now.
“We don’t know who our opponents are yet,” he added.