United People's Party (UPP) youth central secretary Yap Min Su said the party is open to a possible merger with BN component Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), but only if it can secure the seats its direct candidates are contesting in.
Using a technical loophole, state BN has allowed UPP - a non-affiliated component that broke away from SUPP after an internal fight - to contest under the BN ticket, calling them direct candidates.
"We only can answer our part. We cannot answer for them (SUPP). Our central committee will definitely apply to join Barisan, if we win handsomely," Yap told reporters in Kuching today.
"There is the hope for UPP that one day that these two parties may merge together, for the good of all the Chinese community in Sarawak. If you have more Chinese representatives in the government, you have better say. Currently we only have two," said Yap.
He was referring to Wong Soon Koh, who is state minister of environment and public health and Lim Kim Shin, who is state assistant minister of social development and assistant minister of communication.
Yap reiterated the party's support for the seven direct candidates, and said the final seat Meradong should go to its candidate James Wong Hua Kiong, a businessperson who runs the local ferry service.
SUPP submitted former Sarikei MP Ding Kuong Hiing as its preferred choice. In the 2013 election, Ding lost to DAP's Andrew Wong Ling Biu.
"We would like to urge and ask all the Chinese community in the urban areas to support (chief minister) Adenan Satem's agenda for whole state of Sarawak," Yap said, adding that Adenan has done well in protecting Chinese interests in education and development.
Seven parties leaders have resigned to contest under the BN ticket, including party president Wong, who will be defending his seat of Bawang Assan. The other six candidates are Dr Jeril Susil (Mambong), Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkili), Ranum Mina (Opar), Tiong Thai King (Dudong), Hii King Chiong (Pujut) and Janet Lau (Pelawan).
Heading the party in Wong's stead is secretary-general George Lo. Also remaining are the party's central committee members.
