By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 27: Parti Sedar Rakyat (Sedar) is in the process of carefully evaluating possible winnable candidates to contest in the Jepak seat as the party is eager to participate in the upcoming by-election slated for Nov 4.
Sedar president Dato Othman Abdillah, however, pointed out that the party is also looking at the possibility of collaborating with other local opposition parties to form a formidable opposition alliance capable of effectively challenge the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) during the by-election.
“Of course Sedar will want to participate (in the Jepak by-election). We are vetting possible candidates and our options remain open.
“As previously stated, we are also open for full collaboration with other local opposition parties to put forth a unified candidate who is credible to represent the Jepak constituency,” he told DayakDaily when contacted today.
At this juncture, Othman extended an invitation to any local opposition party interested to form a pact with Sedar to initiate discussions regarding this potential partnership.
“Also to ascertain the candidate to stand, and this candidate need not necessarily come from Sedar. The candidate can be from other parties but the key consideration is we must collaborate first,” he added.
It is worth noting that Sedar has undergone a name change, from Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak to Parti Sedar Rakyat, as part of its national expansion efforts. This change was formally approved by party members during its annual general congress on August 27, 2022, and subsequently endorsed by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on Aug 7 of this year.
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the Jepak by-election will be held on Nov 4, with nomination day on Oct 21.
The Jepak seat was vacated following the death of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip at Normah Medical Specialist Centre on Sept 15.
Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak has declared its decision not to field a candidate in the by-election to maintain the stability of the unity government.
Jepak constituency has historically been a stronghold for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). However, Sarawak’s Premier and GPS chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has not yet disclosed the identity of the candidate, other than confirming that the individual will be a local resident.
PBB secretary-general, who is also Federal Works Minister, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi has recently affirmed that there are several potential candidates but the final decision will be made by the party’s top leadership. — DayakDaily
