NAMES NOW IN NAJIB’S COURT

By : PETER SIBON

KUCHING: The list of names of potential candidates from the four BN component parties in Sarawak has been submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom believes the list was handed to the premier, who is also national BN chairman, by Chief Minister and state BN chairman Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during the latter’s last visit to the state from April 26 to 28.

Taib had a face-to-face meeting with Najib on Friday night (April 27) at his residence at Demak Jaya prior to a dinner which he hosted for the prime minister and top BN leaders.

Rundi disclosed that PBB would certainly have new faces in some seats as indicated by Taib, who is also PBB president, but declined to elaborate.

But speculation is rife that among PBB seats which might see new faces are Kota Samarahan, Santubong and Mukah.

In Kota Samarahan, it is believed that Asajaya district officer Rubiah Wang is one of the names submitted to replace incumbent Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib who had decided not to seek re-election.

As for Santubong, besides incumbent MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, a graduate from USM is also included for consideration.

And Mukah might see a new face if Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir gets the nod from Najib to replace five-term MP Dato Sri Dr Muhd Leo Michael Toyad.

“We leave it to the prime minister for final decision and to disclose (their names),” Dr Rundi told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

As for SUPP, it is a known fact that it would field four new faces to defend its six seats from the onslaught of Pakatan Rakyat.

The four new faces will most probably be SUPP Youth chief Tan Kai for Bandar Kuching, MPP chairman Lo Kher Chiang for Stampin, Temenggong Vincent Lau for Bandar Sibu and Datuk Sebastian Ting for Miri.

As for PRS, it has decided to drop five-term Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo to be replaced with Wilson Ugak Kumbong, who is a PRS supreme council member and a private secretary to party president Tan Sri Dr James Masing.

The party has decided to retain its five other incumbents.

As for SPDP, it will retain its three incumbents but will replace Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe who has been sacked from the party.

The most likely candidate to replace Dr Tiki is Salcra deputy general manager Anthony Nogeh, while entrepreneur Henry Harry Jinep could be a surprise entry.

National BN information chief Datuk Ahmad Mazlan, when contacted, concurred with Dr Rundi that the state’s BN candidates’ list had already been submitted to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, when asked when the general election would most likely be held, Ahmad jokingly said it could be held on any month between June and March next year.

However, in a more serious note, he admitted that the successful distribution of BR1M amounting to RM2.6 billion to some 5.2 recipients and the windfall of RM15,000 per Felda settler involving some RM1.7 billion as announced by Najib recently would have a bearing on when the general election would be held.

“The first instalment of RM5,000 would be made within the next two weeks. The second instalment would be made after the listing of Felda in June and the last one would be made after that.

“Definitely the feel good factor is already there but the last shot will be made by the prime minister,” said Ahmad.(theborneopost)