Urging the Melayu-Melanau, Iban and Bidayuh bumiputera voters to stay united, Adenan said they should not break up their votes by voting for the opposition candidates.

“Don’t break the bumiputera votes. I have done my calculation. If all bumiputera support BN, we will win in Piasau, Senadin and Pujut.

“Chinese votes may be divided, but if they’re divided and bumiputera is 100 per cent, you (BN) can win. That is my request to the bumiputera (voters),” he told more than 1,000 people at the Piasau BN meet and greet here today.

The bumiputera communities are a minority in the three seats to the Chinese community.

Senadin is the only remaining Miri seat retained by the BN in 2011, when its candidate, Lee Kim Shin of SUPP, returned with a 58 vote-majority.

Former deputy chief minister and SUPP president Dr George Chan lost in Piasau at the same election, triggering a massive victory for DAP and the opposition, leading to the break-up of SUPP in subsequent years.

This year, however, Adenan and the BN team are adamant on recapturing at least two seats from DAP to place SUPP as the main Chinese-based party in the state.

The BN candidate in Piasau, SUPP’s Sebastian Ting, cited Adenan’s leadership as his campaign message, in order for him to have a chance at defeating DAP Sarawak secretary Alan Ling.

“This time around, we have the Chief Minister leading. My confidence is under the leadership of Adenan, Sarawak people are with you,” he said at the same event.

In Pujut, BN direct candidate Hii King Chiong will face independent candidate Fong Pau Teck, defending the seat he won in 2011, as well as DAP’s Dr Ting Tiong Choon and PAS Sarawak Commissioner Jofri Jarainee.

In Senadin, SUPP’s Lee faces DAP’s Dr Bob Baru Langub and PBDS-Baru newcomer Philemon John Endau.