By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 13: Taking a cautious and vigilant stance, Batu Kitang incumbent Dato Lo Khere Chiang prefers not to speculate on his constituency’s outcome in the run-up to the Sarawak Election 2026.
Lo who has been announced to be the candidate for Batu Kitang for Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), a component party of ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), acknowledged that GPS has been performing.
Despite so, Lo is experienced enough not to take things for granted.
“Having been in the political business for so many years, I would not speculate because anything can happen.
“My wish is nothing unfavourable to GPS will happen in the next few weeks, running up to polling day. Because if anything negative comes about, it will affect the sentiments of our people,” said Lo in a press conference held at SUPP Batu Lintang Service Centre here today.
He said GPS’ outstanding performance is well known across Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, where Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has received widespread praise and recognition for his leadership.
Though refusing to predict the outcome of Batu Kitang which he will be defending, Lo was quick to ascertain that GPS will continue to maintain a landslide victory in the upcoming Sarawak Election 2026.
He attributed the victory to the reformative efforts and initiatives of former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem and caretaker Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I believe he (Abang Johari) plays a pivotal role. And Sarawak, in the coming election, no doubt, will have a landslide victory, will have a majority.
“But I would not like to speculate that we’ll have 100 percent. I would not like to speculate that because people’s sentiments also play a part.
“And right up to the election day, sentiments of the people are important. And I must make sure I don’t make any silly statements from here on until the day of the election. Because that will cost me votes.
“GPS will win in most of the 82 seats in the whole of Sarawak. As far as Batu Kitang is concerned, I leave it to the people in Batu Kitang,” said Lo.
On Nov 11, when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Batu Kawa Road to Stephen Yong Road at Moyan, Premier has affirmed of the candidacy of Batu Kawa, which will be defended by its incumbent Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian and hinted that three constituencies namely Batu Kitang, Kota Sentosa and Meradong will be defended by incumbents.
Lo faced a four-cornered fight in Batu Kitang in Sarawak Election 2021 where he retained the seat with a majority of 4,163 votes against Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Abdul Aziz Isa (2,144 votes), Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) Lu Thian Leong (1,812 votes) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s (PBK) Wong Tun Teck (675 votes). —DayakDaily.
