Taib's youngest daughter takes over her father's seat

Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg today announced BN candidates for the parliamentary seats in Sarawak, which saw the youngest daughter of Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud named as a BN candidate.

Forty-six-year-old Hanifah Taib, who is also Sarawak Perkim chairperson, will be fielded in Mukah, where her father’s former state seat of Balingian is located.

SUPP president and Sarawak Local Government Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian is to contest in Stampin, where he will face Sarawak DAP chief and incumbent Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen.

SUPP secretary-general Sebastian Ting, who is Piasau state assemblyperson, will stand in Miri.

Andrew Wong Kee Yew, the son of United People's Party (UPP) president and state second finance minister Wong Soon Koh, will be fielded in Sibu.

Abang Johari said Kee Yew is contesting the May 9 general election as a candidate of SUPP, the party that sacked Soon Koh four years ago.

Kee Yew is seen to continue his father’s legacy, who plans to retire from politics after the end of the state government term in 2021.

"Wong Soon Koh will retire from politics after this term. That's why we are placing his son as the candidate," Abang Johari replied when asked by the media the reason for fielding Kee Yew.

There will only be contests for parliamentary seats in Sarawak, as the state had held its state assembly election in 2016.

A total of 15 out of 31 incumbent candidates, including the caretaker minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Selangau MP Joseph Entulu Belaun, have been dropped.

PBB will contest 14 seats, followed by SUPP (seven seats), PRS (six seats) and PDP (four seats).

The caretaker ministers who will defend their seats are Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong), Fadillah Yusof (Petra Jaya), Nancy Shukri (Batang Sadong) and Rohani Abdul Karim (Batang Lupar).

Seven-term Betong MP Douglas Uggah is not fielded as he is now the state deputy chief minister.

Sarawak BN candidate list:

Mas Gading - Nogeh Gumbek

Santubong - Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

Petrajaya - Fadillah Yusof

Bandar Kuching - Kho Teck Wan

Stampin - Sim Kui Hian

Kota Samarahan - Rubiah Wang

Puncak Borneo - Genot Sibek @ Jeannoth Sinel

Serian - Richard Riot Jaem

Batang Sadong - Nancy Shukri

Batang Lupar - Rohani Abdul Karim

Sri Aman - Masir Kujat

Lubok Antu - Robert Pasang Alam

Betong - Robert Lawson Chuat

Saratok - Jagah@Subeng Mula

Tanjong Manis - Yusuf Abd. Wahab

Igan - Ahmad Johnie Zawasi

Sarikei - Huang Tiong Sii

Julau - Joseph Salang Gandum

Kanowit - Aaron Ago Dagang

Lanang - Kong Sien Chiu @ Kelvin Kong

Sibu - Andrew Wong Kee Yew

Mukah - Hanifah Taib

Selangau - Rita Sarimah Patrick

Kapit - Alexander Nata Linggi

Hulu Rajang - Ugak Kumbong @ Wilson Ugak

Bintulu - Tiong King Sing

Sibuti - Lukanisman Awang

Miri - Sabastian Tin Chew Liew

Baram - Anyi Ngau

Limbang - Hasbi Habibollah

Lawas - Henry Sum Agong 

-Mkini