MIRI: Seven incumbent assemblymen from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) will be defending their seats in the upcoming 12th Sarawak state election.

       Party secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting said SUPP would be submitting their names to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg soon.

       “SUPP has decided that all seven incumbents would be named as candidates for the coming election,” he told reporters after a media pre-launch of Batik Linut yesterday.

       Apart from Ting, who is standing in Piasau, the six other assemblymen are SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kawa), vice-president Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing (Meradong), Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (Repok), Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang) and Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang).

       GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, SUPP and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

       On Oct 24, the coalition’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said GPS would be contesting in all 82 state constituencies.

       Ting said in the last state election, SUPP was allocated 20 seats.

       “We hope the party will be receiving the same number of seats this time.

       “All our party machinery is ready. We will learn from Melaka as it is the first to carry out a state election under the new norm.

       “I believe the Melaka polls will be the guideline for all parties contesting in the Sarawak state election,” he told Bernama.

       Commenting on news that Sarawak PAS will contest in 11 seats, Ting said that from now until Nomination Day, anything could happen.