United People's Party (UPP) secretary-general George Lo said party members are pleased that Sarawak Chief Minister and state BN chief Adenan Satem has chosen Janet Lau as the direct candidate for the Pelawan state seat.

Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), from which UPP broke away, had been vying for that seat. Its leaders refused comment today.

"We are delighted and we thank the CM (chief minister) for his confidence in Janet Lau. And we believe that of all the potential candidates, Lau is the most winnable one, although we take acknowledge that Pelawan would be a very challenging seat," said Lo when contacted today.

Lau is the widow of SUPP's Robert Lau Hoi Chew. The late Lau was parliamentary representative of Sibu and its former mayor.

Lo also said that UPP deserved the final seat, Meradong, where James Wong, he added, is the best candidate.

"We believe we deserve the seat as SUPP cannot agree on the candidate for the seat as both individuals are claiming to contest it," said Lo.

SUPP’s two candidates are Ding Kuong Hiing and Ting Check Sii.

When contacted today, Michael Tiang, a lawyer with SUPP who was the party's preferred choice for Pelawan, replied, "I wish her good luck!"

UPP officially has seven direct candidates who would resign from the party to contest under the BN ticket.

Excluding Lau, they are Dr Wong Soon Koh who will be defending his seat in Bawan Assan, Dr Jeril Susil (Mambong), Dr Johnical Rayong Nyipa (Engkilili), Ranum Mina (Opar), Tiong Thai King (Dudong), and Hii King Chiong (Pujut).

Adenan had announced the candidate at a press conference in Sibu with UPP president Dr Wong Soon Koh and Sarawak People's Energy Party (Teras) president William Mawan.