KUCHING:  A total of 18 new faces have been confirmed to be among the 71 BN candidates picked by the top BN leadership to contest in the upcoming 10th state election while the candidate for Ba Kelalan has yet to be confirmed .

Special Advisor to the Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan

Satem announced the BN candidates’ list after a closed door meeting which started at 4pm at the PBB headquarters here yesterday.

Among the 18 new faces, 10 are from PBB, seven from SUPP and one from PRS while SPDP has yet to decide its candidate for Ba Kelalan.

The 10 PBB new faces are Dr Hazland Abang Hipni for Demak Laut, Maclaine Ben @ Martin Ben (Kedup), Aidel Lariwoo (Sadong Jaya), Razaili Gapor (Beting Maro), Ricky @ Mohd Razi Sitam (Saribas), Datu Talif @ Len Talif Salleh (Belawai), Abdullah Saidol (Semop), Dr Annuar Rapa’ee (Nangka), Ripin Lamat (Lambir) and Dennis Ngau (Telang Usan).

Leading SUPP’s new faces are well-known cardiologist Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian for Pending, Sim Kiang Chiok (Padungan), Youth chief Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang), Ling Kie King (Maradong), Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek), Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai Ling (Dudong) and Ling Kuong Meng (Kidurong).

For PRS, a surprise package in the person of Stanley Nyitar @ Unja Malang, a former Sesco manager for Kapit has been nominated to replace Larry Sng, who has been dropped from the line-up.

As for SPDP, Adenan made a surprise announcement that the BN top leadership has not named a candidate for its Ba Kelalan seat.

He said the BN top leadership would announce the name before  nomination day on April 6.

“His name will be announced soon. The BN top leadership will make the announcement before the nomination day,” said Adenan.

Present at the press conference were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, SUPP president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, PRS president Dato Sri Dr James Masing, PBB senior vicepresident Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and PBB secretary-general Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

When asked whether Datuk Seri Idris Jala could be the ‘mystery’ candidate, Adenan and the other BN top leaders present laughed off such possibility but described it as merely a possible speculation.

The only PBB top gun who was dropped at the last minute is the State Legislative Assembly Speaker Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, who has been replaced by a newcomer in Semop.

Another surprise in the PBB’s camp was the last minute re-inclusion of Lingga’s incumbent Simoi Peri who had earlier announced her intention to retire from active politics.

In SUPP’s camp, a recycled candidate Datuk Alfred Yap has been nominated for Kota Sentosa to wrest the seat from his arch-rival Chong Cheng Jen, who defeated him in the last state election held in 2006.

Another recycled candidate is Alexander Vincent of PRS who will again be fielded in Ngemah despite losing there also in 2006.

“These are the best candidates we can offer to ensure the BN continue to lead the state,” added Adenan.

He said the BN line-up comprised new and experienced leaders to ensure continuity in the BN.

The age of the BN candidates range from 38 years old to 75.

BN’s youngest candidate is Mohd Razi, a former teacher and journalist and the oldest is Taib.

Earlier, Jabu said the meeting chaired by Chief Minister and State BN chairman Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud went smoothly for the four state BN component parties.

The meeting was also attended by all the BN candidates.

However, Taib was not present at the press conference.