Wong: BN to pick ‘Team Adenan’ candidates for polls
We hope to achieve what both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister want to see, more Chinese representatives in the government, says UPP president Wong Soon Koh.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and its breakaway United People’s Party (UPP) have reportedly agreed to let the top Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership decide on the most winnable candidates, from the two Chinese-based parties, to represent the ruling coalition in the imminent state election.
UPP president Wong Soon Koh has been reported as disclosing in the local media that an “amicable solution” on the matter was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Chief Minister Adenan Satem and SUPP president Sim Kui Hian on Tuesday night.
“In this way, we hope to achieve what both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister want to see , more Chinese representatives in the government.”
He pledged to cooperate with the BN component parties to ensure that Adenan would secure a big mandate. “So, whoever was chosen as BN candidates from both parties would stand as part of ‘Adenan’s Team’ for the sake of the people of Sarawak and also for the sake of Chinese unity,” he said.
The UPP Chief declined to dwell on the number of seats his party expects under the “most winnable candidates” formula. “It’s up to the Chief Minister.”
SUPP was last allocated 19 seats, most of which it lost to DAP. Both SUPP and UPP are expected to be allocated two of the 11 new state seats which takes the number in the Sarawak Assembly to 82 seats.
The expectation within UPP circles was to be given Central Sarawak including Dayak seats. SUPP, in that case, would be left with the northern and southern regions including Dayak seats.
Analysts see no reason why Dayak seats should be given by BN to two political parties preaching Chinese unity and more representation from the Chinese community in the Sarawak Government.
UPP is not a member of BN but has been retained in the state government by Adenan although it broke away from SUPP. Likewise, Teras broke away from SPDP but has been retained in the Adenan Administration.
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Both SUPP and SPDP, a Dayak party, have vetoed attempts by the breakaway parties to join BN.