By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 5: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) newcomer Dr Richard Rapu is set to spar with Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Patrick Kimis and independent candidate Hasbie Satar in P204 Betong during the 15th General Election (GE15).
Dr Richard, a political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, who took over the baton from former Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, is running for the election for the first time in the polls.
He arrived with his proposer Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and seconder Deputy Minister for Community Wellbeing Mohammad Razi Sitam at Betong District Office to submit his nomination paper.
PKR Sarawak’s secretary Patrick was seen arriving with his proposer Aripin Kana and seconder Jemi Beji.
Independent candidate Hasbie, who will be using a logo depicting a boat in the election, was proposed by Nazri Pandi and seconded by Nik Khalid Satar.
In the 2018 general election, Lawson won the seat in a three-cornered battle with a 8,116 majority. He garnered 12,517 votes against Independent candidate Abang Ahmad Abang Suni (4,401 votes) and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Noel Changgai Bucking (3,802).
Previously, the seat was held by Uggah for seven-terms since 1986.
There are four constituencies under Betong Division, namely Bukit Saban, Layar, Saribas and Beting Maro, which are all under and the strongholds of GPS. — DayakDaily
