MIRI: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) is unlikely to field a new batch of candidates in the coming state polls.
According to party president George Chan, “only the bare minimum” will be replaced.
“We are going with the incumbents… Only one or two may not be contesting,” he told reporters during his Chinese New Year rounds to corporate groups here.
Chan, however, declined to reveal who the “one or two” assemblymen were.
“SUPP and the Barisan Nasional is already prepared for any eventuality… we have backup candidates,” said Chan who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister.
He added that several BN candidates had indicated their intention not to defend their seats in the next state election.
Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is rumoured to be looking at 10 incumbents not running in the polls.
According to reports, these incumbents will either be dropped or have volunteered to step down. PBB holds 35 seats in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.
When asked to comment on Prime Minister Najib Razak’s recent meeting with Sarawak’s 63 BN assemblymen, Chan said that a number of assemblymen “had offered to step down” during the meeting.
“Those who offered to step down feel they have done enough…. If they do so, then we have to find new candidates,” he said.
Chan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the party and BN was well prepared to face the polls.
Asked whether Najib had indicated when the polls should be held, Chan said: “He (Najib) has left it to the state to decide.”
Over-selling assemblymen
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister Daud Abdul Rahman’s controversial allegations that some BN incumbents had lied to Najib about their chances in the coming state election has received praise from Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Said Junaidi: “There should be many more personalities who dare to speak up like Daud. I agree with Daud because these assemblymen think highly of themselves; they may be putting the party (BN) in jeopardy during the state election.”
Junaidi added that such a deceitful act would also only “taint the image” of their respective parties.
“Reps should be alert enough to know that Najib and Taib have all the necessary information about their respective performances.
“They should not over-sell their own performance…
“We never know if the prime minister has a veto power on candidates nominated by the chief minister,” he said.
Last Monday, Daud reportedly said that certain BN assemblymen were left red-faced when they overated their chances at the polls to Najib.
“There were some who tried to boost themselves by overrating their winning chances, and at that juncture the PM pointed out directly at them that they were not truthful,” Daud has reportedly said.
Daud did not disclose the names of the embarrassed assemmblymen but did add, however, that “it would not” be a surprise if they were dropped. - FMT
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