KUCHING: Last minute seat swapping within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for the 15th General Election (GE15) is unlikely to happen, says Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president said GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently pointed out that the coalition is nearing a decision on its final list of candidates to contest in GE15.
As such, he said SUPP will leave it to Abang Johari to decide on the final candidates for GE15.
“The GPS chairman (Abang Johari) is the only one allowed to approve SUPP candidates since he is the only person who has the authority to give the instrument of appointment to anyone running on a GPS ticket.
“The rest of us do not have that kind of authority to issue the instrument of appointment,” he said after officiating the state level World Counselling Day seminar at SUPP headquarters here today (Oct 19).
Dr Sim said SUPP will be fielding candidates in Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sarikei, Lanang, Sibu, and Miri Parliamentary constituencies as part of the GPS seat distribution process.
He also said that no political party or coalition in the country can claim control in the upcoming election.
“As a result, GPS leaders will not form an alliance with any national party or coalition before the election.
“However, we will negotiate with them on election night after all of the results have been published,” he explained.
