PKR names candidates, half are new faces

KUCHING: PKR has announced 48 candidates for the state election, over half of whom are new faces.
State PKR chief Baru Bian will contest in Ba’Kelalan, election director Nicholas Bawin in Batang Ai, information chief See Chee How in Batu Lintang and former state liaison chief Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi in Pantai Damai.
There are three women on the list - former state PKR Wanita chief Ibi Uding in Balai Ringin, Suriati Abdullah who will take on Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in Balingian and Zolhaidah Suboh in Lambir.
The new faces include former diplomat Datuk John Tenewi Nuek in Tasik Biru, medical doctor Christopher Kiyui in Tebedu and Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) president Mengga Mikui in Tamin.
However, the party’s sole incumbent Dominique Ng was not on the list. Ng won in Padungan in the 2006 state election but PKR swapped the seat for Batu Lintang with DAP in a surprise deal last week.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who announced the list on Monday said the candidates were of high calibre and upheld Pakatan Rakyat’s principles and ideals of justice.
He said the party’s national leadership did not make any decision on the candidates but merely endorsed the recommendations of the state leaders.
“They are the ones who know best the potential and abilities of each candidate for the constituencies we are contesting,” he said.
Azmin, who presented letters of authorisation to 24 of the candidates, also said there would be overlapping seats between PKR and SNAP except in Pakan and Marudi.
The party also did not name any candidate for Jemoreng.
“According to my list, only two constituencies will not be contested by PKR. These are Marudi and Pakan, which we will leave to SNAP in the spirit of Pakatan.
“We tried very hard to achieve a consensus with SNAP but unfortunately they insisted on contesting 27 Dayak-majority seats, leaving no options to PKR to be represented in those areas,” he said.
As such, he said PKR decided to name candidates all but two of the Dayak-majority seats claimed by SNAP based on the winnability factor.
“After studying SNAP’s candidates compared to ours, we feel our candidates can bring change and get the support of the people,” he added.