CM confirms BN to field new face in Betong

KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional (BN) will field a new face in the Betong parliamentary constituency in the 14th general elections (GE14).

Its chairman cum Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed this yesterday after confirming that Betong MP Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will not be seeking re-election.

"Yes, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah won't be contesting in the coming 14GE. We will field a new face for his constituency.

"This is because Uggah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, wishes to give way as he is dedicated to serving the state. That is our understanding," he said when met by reporters after attending a function at Dewan Hikmah in Petra Jaya here.

Abang Johari, however, kept mum about BN Sarawak's plan for the Saratok constituency, which is currently held by Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.

Recently, Uggah told The Borneo Post that he would not be standing as a candidate in the coming general elections as there is an understanding in Sarawak BN that no one can be a MP as well as a state assemblyman.

"It is understood that no one should hold both parliament and state assembly (seats). Other than that, I want to focus on my responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister."

Uggah stood as PBB candidate for Betong in the 1986 general elections and won. He has been the Betong MP since.

Last year, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang stepped down and Uggah succeeded him as deputy chief minister after winning Bukit Saban in the state election.