Kapit, Song SUPP branches unanimous in call for Nanta to be deputy PM

KAPIT: The Kapit and Song branches of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) are all out to support Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi as a Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) in the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The confirmation of support came from SUPP Kapit chairman James Ling Thian Ing and Penghulu Lim Eng Hock from SUPP Song.

“We support Nanta to be Sarawak’s DPM choice because he is the most suitable candidate. This is his sixth term as parliamentarian. Nanta was first elected in 1999 and he is a highly qualified and experienced politician, being the secretary-general of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and chairman of Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda).

“He is a former deputy minister of Rural and Regional Development as well as minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. His ministerial appointments earned him vast political experiences to handle political matters,” said Ling.

As for Lim, he said all the communities in Song – Dayak, Chinese and Malay – are behind the call for Nanta to be DPM because they feel Nanta would be the most qualified Sarawakian politician to hold the post.

Lim also proposed that besides being appointed as DPM, Nanta should also be the Minister of Rural Development to empower him in expediting the development in Sarawak to catch up with Peninsular Malaysia.

“We appeal to Prime Minister Anwar to appoint Nanta to justify that the unity government is inclusive of multi-racial societies in the country. The appointment of DPM must go with important ministry like Minister of Rural Development because Nanta comes from a rural constituency. He knows the hardships and challenges facing rural communities,” he explained

Ling said in view of Sarawak being the largest state in Malaysia, almost the same size as Peninsular Malaysia, the federal administration must be sensitive to the need of expediting infrastructure and amenities’ development in Sarawak, especially in the rural areas like Kapit and Baram.

“We hope to see at least four or five Sarawakians to be in the cabinet to effectively look after the state’s welfare,” he added.