KUCHING: The decision on whether all incumbents from the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) will be fielded again in the coming Sarawak state election will ultimately rest with the party president.
Its deputy secretary-general Lo Khere Chiang said the matter would be carefully deliberated by the party leadership before any final decision is made on the candidates to contest under the banner of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
He explained that while the party will review the performance and suitability of its current elected representatives, the final call will lie with the president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian after consultations with the coalition’s top leadership.
“Whether all incumbents will be retained or otherwise will be decided by the party president,” he said when commenting on preparations for the next state polls.
The Batu Kitang assemblyman added that candidate selection is not solely an internal party matter, as it also involves discussions within the GPS leadership structure.
According to him, the decision will be coordinated with the highest leadership council of GPS, chaired by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the coalition’s leadership will carefully assess various factors, including the candidates’ performance, grassroots support and their ability to continue serving the people effectively.
“The president will work together with the top leadership of GPS to determine the most suitable candidates to represent the coalition in the coming election,” he said.
Lo stressed that GPS places strong emphasis on selecting candidates who can maintain public confidence and continue delivering development to the people of Sarawak.
At present, SUPP, holds 13 seats in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Aside from Lo and Dr Sim (Batu Kawah), other incumbents are Billy Sujang (Opar), Wilfred Yap Yau Sin (Kota Sentosa), Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang), Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii (Repok), Ding Kuong Hiing (Meradong), Chieng Jin Ek (Bukit Assek), Michael Tiang Ming Tee (Pelawan), Johnny Pang Leong Ming (Tanjong Batu), Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew (Piasau), Adam Yii Siew Sang (Pujut) and Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin (Senadin).
These incumbents were elected in the 2021 Sarawak state election, where SUPP won 13 seats, a significant increase from the seven seats it held previously.
