Sarawak United People’s Party and and Sarawak People’s Democratic Party are still at odds with their breakaway groups which provided most of the direct candidates. There is also the question of Chinese representation in the state government.
SUPP and SPDP are not talking to the direct candidates who resigned from their respective splinter groups, UPP and Teras, to stand in the election.
“This is Adenan’s biggest headache. It will not be easy but he has to fix this once and for all. The rival sides have to come to a compromise,” said political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir.
He said fielding direct candidates turned out to be “a good strategy” and it was quite an achievement that 11 of 13 won.
Another commentator said last night’s victory press conference seemed to show SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian with the advantage for the post of deputy chief minister.
“Adenan announced the seats won by SUPP, and you can see who was there,” said the commentator, who declined to be named, referring to Dr Sim and speculation that he would be made deputy chief minister.
SUPP were demolished by DAP in 2011 in Chinese areas but made a come-back, winning seven seats, five of them in Chinese-dominated Batu Kawah, Batu Kitang, Piasau, Repok and Meradong.
A Chinese community leader pointed out that other BN Chinese candidates were old hands in the state assembly. Wong Koh resigned from UPP and retained Bawang Assan for a sixth term, and SUPP vice-president Lee Kim Shin defended the Senadin mixed seat for a fifth term.
“Wong is a state senior minister and Lee is an assistant minister. Dr Sim has not been in the Cabinet before. This is his first term as a state assemblyman,” he added.
There has been no Chinese deputy chief minister since Dr George Chan, then SUPP president, was defeated by DAP rookie Alan Ling Sie Kong in Piasau in 2011.
This time, Piasau returned to SUPP when party secretary-general Sebastian Ting beat Ling with a bigger majority yesterday.
Adenan had said he wanted Chinese ministers in his government and the issue of a Chinese deputy chief minister was a matter to be considered later.
“He has to make sure he has the best team in his Cabinet taking into account all factors — ethnic, strong backgrounds in various disciplines and the experience to lead the transformation he has envisioned for Sarawak,” said Jeniri.
It’s a situation that calls for delicate handling, but whatever decision is reached, Sarawakians can be sure that it will be “Adenan’s way”.
– BERNAMA