KUCHING, Oct 28: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is expected to announce the complete list of its 31 candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 3 (Thursday), which will likely see 10 to 14 new faces.
Premier of Sarawak, who is also GPS chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in revealing this to a local media organisation today, even hinted that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) would see three new faces and one or two assemblypersons from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) will be fielded to run for the parliamentary election first time.
“The list of candidates is more or less finalised. We will announce it on Nov 3,” he told New Sarawak Tribune today.
GE15 will be GPS’ — comprising four component parties of PBB, SUPP, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) — first major general electoral outing on its own without joining any coalition with parties from Peninsular Malaysia.
As has been practised in every election, Abang Johari, also PBB president, said that the party would field new and young faces this time, including a woman candidate.
“Last year (during the Sarawak election), PBB introduced new faces at Tanjung Manis and Sibuti seats, and they were young candidates.
“For this election, we will also introduce a young candidate who is a young woman and experienced, and also two younger candidates. Meaning, maybe PBB will have three new faces to be fielded,” he said.
Abang Johari added that new faces could also be expected from SUPP, PRS. and PDP, with an overall of 10 to 14 new candidates in this GE15.
He said there might be three new faces for SUPP, which will contest six parliamentary seats.
“As for the Serian seat, it will remain (with incumbent Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem). And maybe one or two of the (SUPP) candidates who hold a State seat, but will for the first time contest in the GE15,” he added. — DayakDaily
