KUCHING: The Santubong parliamentary seat will witness a three-cornered fight in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Among the contenders are Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS); Mohamad Zen Peli from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah); and Affendi Jeman (Independent).
Nancy, clad in a white GPS shirt, was the first to arrive at the nomination centre at Institut Kemahiran Mara Kuching (IKM) this morning (Nov 5) along with her proposer, Tanjong Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan and seconder Rosmah Zaini at 8.15am.
Nancy was Batang Sadong MP for three terms. For this general election, she will be fielded under the GPS flag in Santubong to replace outgoing Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Meanwhile, at 8:30am, Zen, in red Pakatan Harapan (PH) shirt, arrived with his proposer Yunus Rabuan and seconder Zainudin Rayak.
This is the first time the Amanah Sarawak Treasurer cum businessman is contesting for a parliamentary seat. Previously, he was a candidate for the Demak Laut state seat, also under the Amanah ticket.
Meanwhile, Affendi, dressed in a black coat over a white shirt, arrived at the nomination centre at 8:40am accompanied by his proposer Dayang Roshaima Abang Hassimsah and seconder Salmi Bujang.
This is the second time the businessman will be contesting as a candidate at Santubong parliamentary since his first time in 2013.
As the clock struck 11:03am, returning officer Sofhi Jebal announced all three contestants had successfully submitted their nomination papers.
He pointed out that Nancy was the first one to hand in her documents at 9:06am followed by Affendi (9:11am), and Zen (9:15am).
“I have checked the papers and there are no candidates that were rejected among them.
“Hence, the candidates that will contest in the Santubong parliamentary seat will be Nancy from GPS, Affendi as Independent, and Zan from PH,” he said.
Also present in support of Nancy were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who arrived at 9:15am at the centre along with Wan Junaidi; Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; and Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
Earlier, over 800 GPS supporters and state leaders rallied to IKM from nearby Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) as early as 8:08am.
Aside from singing the GPS song, the rally also chanted “Hidup Nancy” and “Hidup GPS” during the 500m procession.
