PAKAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today described the move to nominate 13 Barisan Nasional direct candidates to contest in the state election as a "unique political formula".
Zahid said this was because the move, formulated by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, had successfully brought unity among BN's component parties in the state.
"The political formula in Sarawak is very unique; although the BN component parties here have different affiliations, the spirit of BN was kept intact with the nomination of direct candidates," he said during a meet-the-people session at the George Nanga Nansang longhouse here today.
Two BN component parties, SUPP and SPDP, had been arguing over seat allocations with respective splinter parties UPP and Teras.
Adenan solved the dispute by nominating several UPP and Teras leaders as BN direct candidates, on condition that they resigned from their parties.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said: "They are willing to give up their parties because they know only BN can offer the best manifesto and promises for the people of Sarawak."
He added that the election candidates' commitment towards BN had strengthened the people's confidence in the ruling government.