SIBU, Dec 5 — Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh today announced 69 candidates who will contest under the party’s ticket in the 12th State Election.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said the remaining one or two candidates will be announced tomorrow because of technical reasons.

"We have about 70 (candidates) and out of the 70, about 10 are ladies (candidates),” Wong said.

The party’s five candidates in Sibu are Wong himself who will be contesting in Bawang Assan, Wong Hie Pieng (Dudong), Dr Low Chong Nguan (Pelawan), Andrew Ting (Bukit Assek) and Intanurazean Wan Sapuan Daud (Nangka).

Wong also announced the new five-member Sibu visionary team to be led by himself. The other members of the team are Hie Ping, Dr Low, Ting, and Intanurazean.

The rest of the PSB candidates announced are:

1.            Opar — Datuk Ranum Mina

2.            Tasik Biru — Datuk Dr Tekhee @ Tiki Lafe

3.            Pantai Damai — Mahmud Sabli

4.            Demak Laut — Yatika Jelani

5.            Pending — Tan Kay Hok

6.            Batu Lintang — See Chee How

7.            Kota Sentosa — Datuk Dr Lau Pang Heng

8.            Batu Kitang — Liu Thian Leong

9.            Asajaya — Ishak Buji

10.         Muara Tuang — Yakup Khalid

11.         Stakan — George Young Si Ricord Junior

12.         Serembu — Iana Akam

13.         Mambong — Sanjan Daik

14.         Tarat — Dadi @ Tiap Juul

15.         Tebedu — Cheyne Kambeng @ Raymond Achen

16.         Kedup — Dominic Dado Sagin

17.         Bukit Semuja — Elsiy Tingang

18.         Sadong Jaya — Nur Khairunisa Adbullah

19.         Simunjan — Raily @ Reli Ali

20.         Gedong — Mohamad Sofian Fariz Sharbini

21.         Lingga — Datuk Wan Abdillah Edruce Wan Abdul Rahman

22.         Balai Ringin — Datuk Masir Kujat

23.         Bukit Begunan — Norina Umoi Utot

24.         Simanggang — Walsin @ Wilson Entabang

25.         Engkilili — Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa

26.         Batang Air — Datuk William @ Nyallau Badak

27.         Saribas — Melainie Bolhassan

28.         Layar — Isik Utau

29.         Bukit Saban — Andria Dundang @ Andria Gelayan

30.         Kalaka — John Antau Linggang

31.         Krian — Musa Dinggat

32.         Kabong — Wan Mohamad Madehi Wan Ali

33.         Semop — Abdul Raafidin Majidi

34.         Meradong — Hii Ru Yee

35.         Pakan — Hereward Gramong Joseph Allen

36.         Meluan — Elly Lawai Ngalai

37.         Ngemah — Dr Joseph Jawa Kendawang

38.         Machan — Madang Dimbab

39.         Tellian — Sait Junaidi

40.         Balingian — Yusuf Abdul Rahman

41.         Tamin — Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun

42.         Kakus — Peter Tuan

43.         Pelagus — Datuk Kristoffer Nyuak Bajok

44.         Katibas — Robertson Mawa Luat

45.         Bukit Goram — Robert Segie

46.         Baleh — Koh Kumbong

47.         Belaga — Henry Usat Bit

48.         Murum — Stanley Ajang Batok

49.         Jepak — Dr Raba’ah Tudin

50.         Tanjong Batu — Tang Eng Hui

51.         Kemena — Dr Bernard Tahim Bael

52.         Samalaju — Reggie Suel

53.         Bekenu — Abu Bakar Amit

54.         Lambir — Lila Mohamad

55.         Piasau — Teo Jia Jun

56.         Pujut — Bruce Chai Khim Cheong

57.         Senadin — Lee Tze Ha

58.         Marudi — Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran

59.         Telang Usan — Jau Jok @ Jenggo

60.         Mulu — Professor Dr Son Radu

61.         Bukit Kota — Rosli Amat

62.         Batu Danau — Ali Adap

63.         Ba Kelalan — Baru Bian

64.         Bukit Sari — Alias Mail

Wong said that PSB was not going for all 82 seats but not because the party does not have enough qualified candidates.

"We only make full use of our resources to concentrate on the more winnable seats,” he said.

He pointed out that PSB, being a local-based party with no affiliation with any Peninsular political party, is purely a party for Sarawak representing the people of Sarawak.

"Therefore, we are here to look after the rights of the people of Sarawak, particularly the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

"We are going to restore all the rights that have been eroded over the years, which rightfully belong to the people of Sarawak,” he said.

In this regard, he opined that PSB was in the best position to fight for such rights, as the party has no connection to any other political parties unlike Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Additionally, he mentioned that it should be the primary objective of the government is to take care of people’s livelihood at this critical time, particularly when inflationary rates keep rising.

On this, Wong shared how farmers in Sungai Bidut had voiced out to him during a dialogue that they were hard-pressed by the rising cost of production due to the increase in prices of fertilisers, weedkillers and other chemicals.

"They (farmers) said with the rising cost of production, they can hardly make ends meet let alone make some profit,” he said, adding that these were the sort of issues that require immediate attention from the government.

He also revealed that PSB’s manifesto will, among others, include child endowment and providing financial assistance to dilapidated longhouses should they form the next state government.

"Spending financial resources for the direct benefit of the people — People’s wish for a better life is what we are struggling for.

"It is our mission and vision,” Wong said. — Borneo Post