KANOWIT, Feb 2 — The Sarawak Barisan Nasional has announced that Allan Siden will be the candidate for the Machan seat now held by his father Datuk Gramong Juna in the 11th Sarawak election that must be held by June.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom made the announcement today after a meet-the-people session here, saying he was instructed to do so by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Gramong, 69, had announced that he would not be defending the seat that he had held for nine terms.

Rundi said Adenan coaxed Gramong to stand again as the candidate for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu but, when Gramong declined, the chief minister gave him the mandate to choose a successor.

“We believe Allan can defend the seat for the BN with the undivided support of PBB,” Rundi said, urging BN component parties to also give their support to Allan, 30.

Allan, who is a member of the Malaysian Youth Parliament, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

He said he would have to “fill very big shoes left behind by his father” in the contest for the seat in the 11th state election.

“I am confident that I would be able to continue my father’s good work and legacy. We can see that the young generation, the Gen Y, really need our attention as we develop this country,” he said. — Bernama