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KUCHING: The final decision on whether Batu Lintang incumbent See Chee How will contest under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the candidate for Bawang Assan rests with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the presidents of all four GPS component parties had submitted their proposed candidate lists to the Premier, who would make the final decision and issue the official letters of authorisation (watikah).
He said this included the matter concerning See, who had applied to join the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly.
“Ultimately, the final decision rests with the Premier because he is the one who signs the watikah.
“We have submitted our names and completed the necessary discussions, but until the Premier issues the watikah, there is no point in speculating,” he told reporters after attending the launching ceremony of the Batu Kawa-Stephen Yong Road construction project here today (Nov 11)
Dr Sim, who is also SUPP president, said the party would discuss the matter further after receiving an indication from the Premier.
Asked whether See’s name was among those submitted, he said all candidates names were included in the list forwarded to the Premier.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had earlier indicated in his speech that SUPP incumbents Wilfred Yap, Datuk Lo Khere Chiang and Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing were among those being considered for renomination.
However, Dr Sim stressed that the candidate selection process is not finalized until the watikah is issued.
On whether See’s inclusion in the proposed list would mean his application to join SUPP had been accepted, Dr Sim said the matter would depend on the Premier’s decision, after which the party would hold further discussions.
See submitted his application to join SUPP on October 27, with the form handed to the party’s central organising secretary Datuk Matthew Chen and witnessed by Dr Sim and SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
See, who was elected under Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in the 2021 Sarawak Election, retained Batu Lintang with 4,420 votes, defeating GPS candidate Sih Hua Tong, who polled 4,327 votes, by a majority of 93.
He subsequently left PSB in August 2022 and continued serving as an Independent assemblyman.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim said the candidate for Bawang Assan would also be resolved by the Premier.
In the 2021 Sarawak Election, the seat was won by Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, then contesting under the PSB ticket, with 5,952 votes and a majority of 913.
GPS candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew came second with 5,039 votes, followed by DAP’s Amy Lau Bik Yieng with 1,173 votes, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Michelle Ling Shyan Mih with 954 votes and independent candidate Ricky Enteri with 645 votes.
Wong had represented Bawang Assan for several terms, winning the seat under the Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket in 2011 and 2016 before contesting under PSB in 2021.
Dr Sim also cautioned prospective candidates against preparing campaign materials before receiving official confirmation, recalling instances where candidates had printed posters and prepared election materials only to find that someone else was eventually selected.
He said the final candidate list would be announced by the Premier.
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