KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dr Annuar Rapaee’s recent statement denying the party would contest in Bawang Assan in the coming state election shows the close rapport between the party and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the statement symbolised Dr Annuar’s acknowledgement that Bawang Assan was traditionally a SUPP seat.
“Under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition’s cooperation and friendship spirit, it is best to let each member party to contest in their traditional seats in the coming election and to avoid any mistrust and split.
“GPS should be united in fighting the opposition,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Sim reiterated that SUPP would contest in all 20 of its traditional seats in the coming election, and the seven traditional seats in the general election.
The 20 seats of SUPP are Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Batu Kawah, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kitang, Opar, Mambong, Engkilili, Simanggang, Repok, Meradong, Bukit Assek, Dudong, Bawang Assan, Pelawan, Tanjung Batu, Piasau, Pujut and Senadin.
The seven parliamentary seats are Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri.
Dr Sim further commented that Dr Annuar’s statement showed the trust between PBB and SUPP.
“In fact, fighting for another component party’s traditional seat should not be a culture in GPS because it brings more harm than good to the coalition.
“Sadly, such issues always re-surface near election time. We should not allow such divisive culture to exist within GPS component parties.”
Dr Sim also described Dr Annuar as a strong leader, much like PBB strongman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
“Both Douglas Uggah and James Masing have mentioned numerous times that PBB and PRS will assist SUPP to win back Engkilili.
“Therefore, SUPP urges all GPS component parties to not be the ‘termites’ in the coalition, but instead to cooperate to face mutual enemies.
“Unity and trust are the foundations of a strong and successful political coalition such as in GPS.”
