MIRI, May 11 — Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has been nominated the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate to contest for the Bekenu state constituency in the coming 11th state election.
Bekenu SPDP branch chairman Sebastian Janting Thakin said after thorough discussion and feedback from grass-root supporters, Tiong, who is Bintulu MP fit the criteria of a winnable candidate.
“We have made it official with our stand on candidacy issue and yesterday, all committee members of N61 Berkenu branch turned up at the meeting, voicing their unanimous support for Tiong to be BN candidate for Bekenu,” he told Bernama here today.
He said the branch decision would be forwarded to the top party leadership for a stamp of approval.
Bernama was made to understand that earlier, SPDP mulled over two candidates for the Bekenu state seat. They were an estate manager based in Miri and a Kuala Lumpur-based businessman.
However, after much deliberation yesterday, the party’s Bekenu branch opted to submit Tiong as the sole BN candidate for Bekenu, based on his track record and political experience.
On April 19, SPDP had announced it would contest eight state seats with five candidates being named first - lawyer Cila Nasu for Tasik Biru; lawyer Kilat Beriak (Krian); quantity surveyor, Belayong Jampong (Meluan); businessman Brian Fung (Pakan); and, lawyer Fabian Andrew Sigar (Ba’kelalan).
Tiong, who made the announcement at a party dinner, said for the Marudi seat, a senior government servant had been identified among potential candidates.
Besides SPDP, Sarawak BN component parties comprise Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, the backbone of the state BN, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and the Sarawak United People’s Party.
The term of the current state government expires in June next year. — Bernama
