By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 6: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Datuk Ibrahim Baki is in a three-cornered fight in his bid to win the N8 Satok seat in the 12th Sarawak Election.
Ibrahim, 62, will face off against Awang Badele Awang Ali of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), 62, and Datuk Ir Dr Nor Irwan Ahmat Nor, 45, of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Their names were announced by returning officer for Satok, Hadysyam Junaidi, at 10.15am, after the nomination at Dewan Dato Hajjah Jumaani SK Rakyat Bolhassan here closed at 10am.
This is the first time that Ibrahim, who is also the Satok Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy chairman, will contest in the State polls, replacing his predecessor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
PBB is one of four GPS component parties alongside Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Irwan, on the other hand, is contesting for the first time for a State seat after he was unable to unseat Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof for the Petra Jaya Parliament seat in the 2018 General Election.
Satok is considered a GPS stronghold, reflected in Abang Johari’s success in holding the seat for nine terms since 1981.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari who is the Chief Minister-cum-GPS chairman will contest in Gedong seat this time around to replace Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais (GPS) who is not seeking reelection.
Earlier, Irwan was the first candidate to arrive at the Satok State Legislative Assembly (DUN) nomination centre before 8am to submit his candidacy form.
This was followed by Awang Badele who arrived at 8.30am while Ibrahim arrived last at 8.50am. — DayakDaily
