GPS to Field New Faces as Some Incumbents Step Aside – Abang Jo

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will finalise its list of candidates for the 13th Sarawak State Election at an upcoming coalition meeting.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said decisions on candidate selection, including the status of incumbent assemblymen, would only be made after the meeting.

However, he hinted that GPS would field a combination of experienced candidates and confirmed that new faces would be included in the coalition’s line-up.

Asked whether any incumbents would be dropped, Abang Johari explained that some elected representatives had chosen to step aside voluntarily.

“What I can tell you is that it will be a combination of experienced individuals and younger candidates.

“We will decide on this after the GPS meeting,” he said when met after announcing the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Friday.

Abang Johari, who is also the incumbent Gedong assemblyman, declined to confirm whether he would contest the election and return to the Satok seat.

“What do you think? Where is Datuk Ibrahim?” he joked, referring to incumbent Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki.

Abang Johari said a press conference would be held after the GPS meeting to provide further details on candidate selection.

GPS is expected to seek to retain its dominance in Sarawak in the 13th state election, having previously contested all 82 state assembly seats in the last election.

AWANI