SUPP worried it may lose Stampin
By Joseph Tawie, Free Malaysia Today
KUCHING: Chinese-based Sarawak party SUPP is worried that it may lose its Stampin parliamentary seat in the coming general election following its disastrous showing in the recent state polls.
The party’s vice-president and incumbent to the seat, Yong Khoon Seng said it was important the party identified a candidate who will replace him in the seat. He has decided not to contest to retain the seat.
“SUPP must not repeat its mistakes in introducing its candidates at the eleventh hour in the coming general election,” he said.
“It must avoid the same mistakes made in the just concluded state election,” stressed Yong.
“I have been bringing a number of potential candidates to my functions in the constituency,” he said, adding that it was up to the party to identify any one of them.
Stampin which comprises Batu Kawah, Kota Sentosa and Batu Lintang constituencies is the only parliamentary seat under the control of SUPP in the southern region.
The three state constituencies are now under the control of the opposition (DAP) after the recently concluded state election.
After Bandar Kuching has been taken by DAP in the 2008 parliamentary election, the party has been targeting Stampin as it next assault.
DAP is also eyeing three other parliamentary seats of Lanang, Sarikei and Miri, which are now still in the hands of SUPP. DAP has wrested control of Sibu in a by-election in May last year.
Encouraged by its recent successes, DAP is also interested to contest rural constituencies of Mas Gading, Mambong, Serian and Sri Aman in the next general election. These constituencies are Dayak majority.
