WHO will be contesting for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the Santubong parliamentary constituency in the upcoming general election? It is the most talked about in the political arena right now and gossips are everywhere.
Will Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar defend the seat? Or will he retire from politics?
Currently, both Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Wan Junaidi himself have yet to clarify the situation.
However, it is widely known that a series of negotiations between Wan Junaidi and Abang Johari have taken place both in Kuala Lumpur and in Kuching.
In fact, some petitions have also made the round asking Wan Junaidi to stay on for another term.
Wan Junaidi is not an ordinary political leader. At the age of 77, he is categorised as a veteran, who even in his last days as a minister, is constantly working.
He has been attributed with several successes including the drafting of legislations at the national level.
Individuals with such talent should not be wasted. His wisdom and experience need to be used as best as possible, both at the state and national level. However, if he asks to retire, then his wish should be respected.
The Santubong seat has always been regarded as a stronghold of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
In 1974 to 1990, it was once the stronghold of the former Minister of Education, the late Tan Sri Sulaiman Daud.
After being split in two, with the establishment of Petra Jaya constituency in 1987, Rohani Abdul Karim, former director of the Sarawak Women’s Bureau, was introduced as the PBB candidate and she won in the 1990 general election.
Wan Junaidi contested the Santubong seat in 2004, after he and Rohani swapped seats. Since then, he has controlled the seat comfortably, always recording a majority of over 10,000 votes, including the highest with 20,983 votes in the 2013 general election.
The question now is, if Wan Junaidi retires, who will take over? Since last year, it is said that he has suggested for his political secretary Datuk Seri Syed Hamzah Syed Paie succeeds him as the candidate in the constituency.
Syed Hamzah, a graduate of International Islamic Universiti Malaysia (IIUM) is no stranger to PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
He is the deputy head of PBB Demak Laut Branch and was once the information chief for PBB Youth wing.
Some of his peers have become elected representatives such as Datuk Hamzah Ibrahim in Stakan; Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman in Tupong, even his junior in the Youth wing, Royston Valentine in Tellian.
Even so, Syed Hamzah is not the only competitor here. Another potential candidate is Datuk Wan Khalik Wan Mohamad.
Wan Khalik, a graduate of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Utara Malaysia is the Information chief of PBB Samariang Branch and has served as private secretary to former Chief Minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem and also current Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
On paper, these two young and handsome candidates have almost equal chances.
Both are experienced in administration, have great reach in terms of politics, have stable financial resources and are believed to be able to provide a new face to the parliament, if elected.
However, there is also a possibility for Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri to switch seat to Santubong.
It is not really news to most people and it is understood that Nancy has never lobbied for this move, but it is one of the options that PBB is considering.
It’s actually too farfetched because Nancy grew up in Kampung Santubong and Kampung Panglima Seman – both of which are located in the Santubong constituency. And if this happens, it’s like “umpama sirih pulang ke gagang.”
Nancy is an experienced and highly respected leader in PBB. Therefore, it is not a problem for her to move and build a new base in Santubong.
With her experience of several terms in Parliament, including being a full minister, this UiTM graduate and former legal officer is definitely able to continue whatever Wan Junaidi has planned in the area.
Whoever is nominated here, GPS is not really thinking about whether they can win and bring the seat for the coalition but rather whether the candidate will be able to match or even increase the large majority of over 21,000 votes that Wan Junaidi once obtained.
It is not impossible because, at this time there is a big leap on the number of new voters. The three state constituencies under Santubong are Tanjung Datu, Pantai Damai and Demak Laut which are dominated by GPS/PBB.
All that needs to be done is to ensure that all parties are satisfied, after the name of the candidate is announced today (Nov 3).
The closest competitor at the moment is from Pakatan Harapan/Amanah who named Mohammad Zen Peli of Kampung Sejingkat, as a candidate.
Zen contested in the last state election and only polled 212 votes, compared to GPS/PBB candidate Dr Hazland Hipni who obtained 7,636 votes.
