GPS to field about 30 pct new faces in GE15, says Abdul Karim

KUCHING, Oct 11: About 30 per cent of Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15) would be new faces, says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

According to him, some newcomers are likely to be fielded in seats that GPS failed to win in the last general election in 2018, while others would be fielded in seats represented by GPS MPs not seeking re-election.

“In my view as a member of PBB, usually we will see around 30 per cent of new faces in each election, be it State or general elections.

“I can say that it could probably be the same for GPS this time around. It is more or less that percentage (of new faces),” he said in a Sejahtera Asia programme broadcast by TVS today.

Elaborating, Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, added that among the criteria considered by GPS in candidate selection were age and education. 

“This is because we expect them to serve for at least two terms,” he added. 

He also opined that candidates suitable to carry the duty as a people’s representative should be between 30 and 50-years-old. 

GPS has clearly signaled that it will be contesting in all 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak in the coming GE15. 

Yesterday (Oct 10), Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved Parliament after obtaining the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, to make way for GE15 nearly a year ahead of the deadline for a general election. — DayakDaily