By Peter Sibon
SERIAN, Dec 28: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MPs can contest in the coming state election if they are accepted by the people and have the blessings from top GPS leadership, opined PBB vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“We leave that to the leaders from the respective parties. In GPS, there is a forum where we discuss all these matters.
“If the rakyat want them to contest, why not? There is nothing wrong with MPs (members of Parliament) contesting (in the state election). But in the next general election, they might not be contesting as MP anymore,” he told reporters after leading a motorcycle convoy to Tasik Danu here today.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, however, said sitting MPs should not contest in the state election as it would burden them with too much responsibilities.
“We should not be holding two posts. Let’s focus on just one (post). Perhaps those MPs feel it’s much better to serve in the state,” he added.
Speculations are rife that at least four GPS MPs, namely Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president and Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing; Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)’s senior vice-president and Petrajaya MP Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; PBB’s secretary-general and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi; and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) deputy president Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem would contest in the coming state election due by 2021.— DayakDaily
