SARAWAK United People’s Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian has been reappointed for a second term as senator, allowing to him to now hold four portfolios simultaneously.

Sim was sworn in today in a ceremony that took place before Dewan Negara president, SA Vigneswaran.

Vigneswaran said the reappointment is a recognition of past “contributions”.

Sim was reappointed last month as the state’s local government minister following a minor cabinet reshuffle.

He also took on another portfolio as housing minister, taking over the ministry from Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg.

The 51-year-old state assemblyman for Batu Kawah was first appointed as senator in May 2014, when he was secretary-general of SUPP.

Sim, a cardiologist trained in Australia, became president in September 2014.

There has been speculation in the Chinese vernacular dailies that Sim may contest the Stampin Parliamentary seat in the coming general election.

In 2011 state elections Sim lost when contesting against Pending incumbent Violet Yong (DAP). She beat him by 6,780 votes.

In state election last May, Sim beat DAP’s Batu Kawah incumbent Christina Chiew by 2,085 votes.

The law, however, forbids a senator to contest in a Parliamentary election.

“They have to give up their senate post first. They can resign just before nomination day. It’s a straightforward process,” Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s associate professor Jeniri Amir said when contacted today.

“And if they lose the election, their party can still re-nominate them to the senate,” said Jeniri, who is a political analyst.

After losing in the 2008, former MIC president G Palanivel was appointed as senator before resigning the post to contest in 2013, winning the Cameron Highlands seat.

Less successful was Umno’s Raja Nong Chik, who resigned as a senator to contest in Lembah Pantai constituency in 2013, but lost to incumbent MP Nurul Izzah Anwar. He was appointed as a senator soon after.

Former Gerakan leader Koh Tsu Koon was appointed as senator after losing in the 2008 election. Koh did not contest the 2013 election and resigned soon after as party president. – June 5, 2017.