Harden quashes rumours that he wouldn’t be renominated

September 6, 2010, Monday
Borneo Post

SRI AMAN: Datuk Francis Harden Hollis has strongly denied the speculation that he will not be nominated to defend his Simanggang state seat.
OVER TO YOU: Harden (second right) receives a walking stick which will be used for the ‘Timang’ ceremony from JKKK of Taman Gamang chairperson Boniface Andil (third left) during the dinner. — Photo by Edwin Raoh

OVER TO YOU: Harden (second right) receives a walking stick which will be used for the ‘Timang’ ceremony from JKKK of Taman Gamang chairperson Boniface Andil (third left) during the dinner. — Photo by Edwin Raoh

He said all the rumours of him being dropped in the state election are not true and maliciously intended.

Speaking at the Taman Gamang village security and development committee (JKKK) dinner here on Saturday night, he stressed that he will be defending the seat which he has represented for the last three terms.

“Tonight (Saturday), I want to make it clear to all of you that I will be defending the Simanggang seat under the Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket. All these rumours you heard (about my removal) are not true at all,” he said.

Harden, who is Assistant Minister of Land Development, is also the deputy secretary general of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP).

The talks of him not being nominated are believed to have surfaced following reports that SUPP is contemplating to quit state BN.

In the 2006 election, Harden retained the seat after defeating Peli Aron of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) by a majority of 4,258 votes.

For the coming election which must be called by next July, the opposition candidate to challenge Harden is believed to be Democratic Action Party (DAP) Simanggang branch chief Leon Donald.

Leon, who is also the son of PKR Sarawak vice chairman and former Sri Aman member of parliament Jimmy Donald, is said to have made his rounds to longhouses and Chinese villages in the area to canvass for support.

On another matter, Harden hoped the residents of housing estates in Sri Aman will continue to invite people from neighbouring villages and longhouses to join in their activities.

He said this spirit of sharing is vital for the unity and harmony between the various communities in Sri Aman.

During the function, Harden also pledged grants of RM3,000 and RM2,000 to Taman Gamang JKKK and Women’s Bureau.