By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 15: Simunjan incumbent assemblyman Awla Dris has confirmed that he will not seek re-election in the coming Sarawak election, saying he has already informed the State leadership of his decision to step down.
He said he had met Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to convey his decision not to contest again.
“I have met the Premier (Abang Johari), Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, and Datuk Amar Douglas to inform them that I am stepping down from contesting,” he told DayakDaily when met after the PBB Southern Zone Convention held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Asked about his health, Awla said his leg had been amputated due to a condition affecting blood supply to his toes, clarifying that it was not caused by diabetes.
“It is the nerves not receiving blood supply all the way to the tips of my toes. It is not diabetes,” he explained.
On his potential successor, Awla said Abang Johari, as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, would make the decision based on recommendations from the relevant agencies.
“So far, the Premier himself will make the selection based on the agencies he has tasked with the matter.
“As for the candidates in Simunjan, there are as many as 12. Whoever is selected, the Premier will inform me,” he said.
Awla, who represents the N25 Simunjan constituency under the Batang Sadong parliamentary seat, was first elected in the Sarawak Election 2016 under Barisan Nasional (BN) before retaining the seat in the 2021 election under GPS.
In the 2021 election, he secured 4,276 votes, with a majority of 3,351, defeating Raily Reli Ali of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Hapeni Fadil of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), and Saharuddin Abdullah of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK). — DayakDaily
