KUCHING: A local entrepreneur wants to contest as an Independent in Santubong, setting the stage for a three-cornered fight in the parliamentary seat.
Affendi Jeman, 59, said he would stand as a friend of Barisan Nasional in the 15th General Election (GE15).
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"I'm a Barisan loyalist. Since there is no longer Barisan in Sarawak, I have decided to contest as an Independent on a pro-Barisan platform," he said on Friday (Nov 4).
To show his support for the coalition, his campaign tagline shows the abbreviation for Barisan, BN, expanded to "Bawa Nikmat" (bringing benefit).
Asked if his candidacy was endorsed by the Barisan leadership, Affendi said it was his own decision to contest.
"It doesn't involve Barisan at the Federal level.
"I have to decide my own fate, I don't depend on any decision-making by other parties," he said.
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Barisan has lacked presence in Sarawak since its four component parties in the state pulled out after GE14 in 2018 to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
GPS, which comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), is contesting GE15 on its own.
Affendi will face GPS candidate Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Amanah's Mohamad Zen Peli in Santubong.
