By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 8: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) maintains the practice of not allowing its elected representatives to hold both parliamentary and Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) seats at the same time, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says.
Speaking to reporters after launching the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth Election Machinery at Dewan Kampung Stakan Melayu today, he said the arrangement had also been followed by his predecessors, the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
“Normally in PBB, we do not have someone holding both a DUS seat and a parliamentary seat.
“During the time of the late Tun Taib, he held both parliamentary and DUS seats. He later chose not to defend his parliamentary seat and continued serving in the DUS,” he said.
Abang Johari said the late Adenan had followed a similar arrangement, adding that he was maintaining the same practice.
He was responding to a question on whether any Members of Parliament (MPs) would be renominated to contest in the upcoming 13th Sarawak Election.
Abang Johari had earlier hinted that four incumbent GPS assemblymen — Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (Tupong), Datuk Ibrahim Baki (Satok), Datuk Hamzah Brahim (Stakan) and Datuk Martin Ben (Kedup) — could retain their respective seats in the coming Sarawak Election, saying he expected them to remain assemblymen.
When asked about the announcement of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidates, Abang Johari said the coalition was not rushing the process as nomination day was scheduled for Nov 28.
“We are not rushing. Nomination is on Nov 28, so you still have about two weeks,” he explained. — DayakDaily
