‘BN team’ to resolve impasse, says Adenan

KAPIT: The state Barisan Nasional (BN) may form its own team of direct candidates should the impasse over seat allocations between the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), as well as Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and the United People’s Party (UPP) fail to be resolved.

State BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said he would create his own BN team based on advice from BN national chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“This means whoever that we choose will be the BN candidate for that area. This is the way to resolve the thing once and for all. So this is the way of the future,” he said when officiating at the Sejiwa Senada programme here yesterday.

Adenan told a press conference later that he needed a very good team with the mandate of the people to develop Sarawak.

“But there are some problems with some component parties with the allocation of seats. This is not so much with PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu) or PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) but between SUPP and UPP and SPDP and Teras.

“So one possible solution is to have a direct BN candidate. Members of my team and he will use only one symbol — the BN symbol,” he said.

The Chief Minister said those who are unhappy with the solution can still contest but must not use the BN logo.

He stressed that there will only be one BN candidate for all 82 seats.

“This is one way to resolve the matter which has been delayed for so long that there appears to be no resolution to the matter. Election is getting nearer and nearer and we must look at the overall interests of BN,” he added.

Adenan said during his last conversation with Najib, the latter was quite open to the resolution.

“I will give the contending parties the last chance to come to terms to compromise. If they don’t, I will use this solution,” he said.

On the Bukit Goram seat, he said PBB has the best chance of winning the seat with the help of PRS.

Adenan said he will announce the final list of BN candidates for the 11th state election before the end of the month.

Among those present at the event were Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Assistant Minister of Heritage and Culture Liwan Lagang, Kapit Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Katibas assemblyman Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan.