Many candidates are attention seekers, says Dr.Sim

suppadmin | December 9, 2021

GPS/SUPP Batu Kawah candidate, Dato’ Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian said many candidates in the 12th Sarawak State election are attention seekers and hope to shine by coming out with outrageous issues that do not warrant an answer.

Dr. Sim who was unveiling his Batu Kawah constitution this morning was asked whether he was invited to online debate on certain issues.

“There are a lot of publicity stunts, all sorts of attention seeking. I am not surprised as there have never been so many candidates around this time so it is hard to shine,” he said.

There is a record number of 349 candidates contesting from 82 seats, the highest number so far for a state election. In the last state election in 2016, there were 229 candidates.

From the Election commission there are 13 three-corner fights, 33 four-corner fights, 24 five-corner fights, seven 6-corner fights and one, Dudong, eight corner fights. There are only four straight fights.

A total of 10 parties and 30 independents, 304 male and 45 female are tussling for the 82 seats. The candidates are aged between 24 to 79, the majority in their 60s.

Dr Sim said with so many joining in the fray, he will also not under-estimate his opponents in Batu Kawa. He is facing DAP Dr. Kelvin Yii, Aspirasi Fong Pau Teck and Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Chan Kueh Khun.

He said to him a manifesto is a serious thing for the candidate to fulfill and not like someone who cannot form government but shout. He thanked the voters for giving him a chance five years ago and assured that this time he will bring more transformation to Batu Kawah if elected.

Again, he reminded the people not to end up like West Malaysia where extremism and bigotry exists almost daily as only GPS government can bring harmony for Sarawakians.