By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 4: There was no discussion on whether Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg would switch to the Tanjong Datu constituency, as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties have given him full mandate to decide on the candidates for the coming 13th Sarawak Election.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the matter was not raised during today’s PBB Supreme Council meeting, chaired by Abang Johari, who is also the party president, at PBB headquarters in Jalan Bako here.
Asked whether there had been any discussion about Abang Johari moving to Tanjong Datu, Uggah said there was no such discussion.
“I don’t think there is any need for such a discussion,” he said.
On candidate selection, Uggah said all GPS component parties had agreed to give Abang Johari full authority to determine their respective candidates for the coming Sarawak election.
“Everyone agreed and supported giving Datuk Patinggi the mandate to make the final decision,” he told reporters after the meeting and in the presence of PBB secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi and deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Uggah, who has been appointed GPS director of operations for the coming Sarawak election, said the mandate was also agreed upon during a previous GPS meeting.
The GPS election operations team comprises the presidents of its four component parties, namely PBB, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Abang Johari, who is currently the Gedong assemblyman, previously represented Satok for 40 years before making the switch to Gedong in the 2021 Sarawak Election.
He first won the Satok seat in a 1981 by-election and retained it in nine consecutive State elections before contesting Gedong in 2021, where he secured victory with a majority of 3,607 votes.
Asked when a special meeting to discuss the candidate list would be held, Uggah said no date had been determined.
“Not yet decided. Wait and be patient,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah said the PBB Supreme Council had been briefed on GPS’ State election preparations, with all PBB branches throughout Sarawak urged to remain prepared for the coming polls. — DayakDaily
