By Lian Cheng
With nomination day (November 28) just roughly two weeks away, the stage is set for the 13th Sarawak Election, with polling scheduled for December 12. As with any elections, rumours abound regarding potential candidates, including those from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone party of Sarawak’s ruling coalition: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
During the Sarawak Election 2021, GPS allocated the seats as follows: PBB contested 47 seats, followed by the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) with 18, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) with 11, and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) with 6.
As the dominant party within GPS where the movement of its top leaders would greatly impact Sarawak’s politics and affect other component parties, speculations about potential candidates for PBB have been rampant especially in the constituencies that expect changes in candidacies.
The most talked-about speculation centres on PBB president and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Rumour has it that he may shift from his incumbent seat of Gedong to Demak Laut; a seat which is currently held by Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni who serves as Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
The rationale? Driving the realisation of the Tanjung Embang master plan which falls under the Demak Laut constituency.
Under the new master plan, Tanjung Embang, a quiet coastal area in the Samarahan division will be transformed into a multi-billion ringgit regional aerotropolis and green energy hub.
The project encompasses several major developments: the New Kuching International Airport (NKIA), designed as a 110-square-kilometre aerotropolis integrating aviation, dedicated air cargo logistics, and commercial zones; the Kuching Low-Carbon Gas Hub (KLCH) which targets massive investments to support liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, green hydrogen bunkering and low-carbon industrial activities; a deep-sea port served by an integrated expressway network and a regional high-tech port of call for southern Sarawak; and a cutting-edge technology centre alongside an artificial intelligence (AI) campus designed to capture massive foreign tech inflows and drive sustainable industrial development.
Given the immense scale of the project, speculation suggests that Abang Johari wishes to oversee its overall development and ensure it materialises before he steps down for good in 2030. This context likely explains his response when media recently asked if he would relocate to Demak Laut: he sidestepped the question with a tongue-in-cheek and ambiguous answer that avoided any outright denial: “As GPS chairman, I am contesting in all 82 seats.”
Some argue he is unlikely to abandon Gedong because his vision for the constituency is far from complete. He has dedicated significant time and energy to the area, most notably the substantial effort to turn it into a major paddy production hub for Sarawak. Whether he ultimately shifts to Demak Laut or remains in Gedong, the definitive answer will be revealed to the public by November 28.
In the meantime, Sarawakians can continue enjoying a lively round of speculation regarding various possibilities, including the potential returns of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Petra Jaya MP) and Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit MP) to participate in the upcoming 13th Sarawak Election.
These rumours are fuelled by wider speculation that Abang Johari will retire before the end of the next term and pass the baton to one of PBB’s senior leaders. Alongside Fadillah, potential successors include Bukit Sari incumbent and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Asajaya incumbent and Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts as well as Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (Bukit Saban).
While Uggah is frequently mentioned as a successor, concurrent rumours suggest he may retire alongside Abang Johari, opening the door for Nanta to return and take over Uggah’s leadership role within the PBB Pesaka wing.
Nanta’s return previously seemed all but certain following his announcement on May 9, 2026, when he expressed a desire to continue his political career at the State level after serving his parliamentary constituency for nearly three decades. He even announced that he would not defend the Kapit parliamentary seat, hinting that political secretary Alvin Runggah would succeed him.
However, all discussions surrounding Nanta’s return abruptly subsided after the Election Commission announced that the 17 new seats proposed by the GPS government would not be finalised in time for the upcoming election, leaving no seat available for him.
Recently, alongside renewed speculation about Fadillah returning to Sarawak’s politics, though the rumour mill has failed even to suggest a seat for him; whispers have said that Nanta could contest the Bukit Goram seat. Should that be the case, Bukit Goram incumbent Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat would give way to Nanta, with the former to rejoin the fray in the 14th Sarawak Election that is expected to feature 17 new seats alongside the existing 82.
Another top leader speculated to be stepping down is Dalat incumbent Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who also serves as the Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development. Fatimah had announced as early as the Sarawak Election 2021 that it would be her final term, a position she reiterated in February 2022.
Although the media has recently attempted to confirm a definitive answer, Fatimah who has been Dalat’s assemblywoman since 2001 continued to play her cards close to her chest. Alongside Fatimah, her deputy and Bekenu incumbent Rosey Yunus, is said to have expressed a strong intention to retire from politics to make way for young blood.
Similarly, Pantai Damai incumbent Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who serves as Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department is predicted to be stepping away of active politics. While Dr Abdul Rahman’s fate is still unknown, one assemblyman certain to bow out for a new face is Simunjan incumbent Awla Dris. Awla has to bid farewell to public office as ongoing health issues prevent him from serving his constituents effectively.
Whether these rumours carry any veracity, Sarawakians will know of the truth soon enough on November 28, following the nomination of candidates across the 82 seats in Sarawak.
While much remains uncertain in the rumour mill, one thing for sure is: Premier Abang Johari will lead GPS for the last time in the upcoming Sarawak Election 2026. Born in 1950, he is now 76 years old and would be an octogenarian by 2030 or 2031.
Cognisant of the cautionary tales of leaders overstaying their welcome, he would undoubtedly prefer to bow out gracefully by then, regardless of how healthy he remains, a sentiment he has repeatedly shared with Sarawakians. – DayakDaily
