By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 3: After seven terms of serving the coastal residents as an MP, Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim has called it a day and gracefully moved aside for Mohamad Shafizan Kepli, who will be Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) candidate for Batang Lupar in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Rohani, 67, has served as a three-term MP for Santubong from 1990 to 2004, and Batang Lupar from 2004 to 2022.
Despite not contesting, she was present to give her support to her successor during the announcement for GPS candidates for GE15 by GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today.
“This is politics. When it is time for us to go, we go and give way to the new leader.
“This time, the top leadership has chosen a young leader so Alhamdulillah, both of us earlier had discussed on arranging our machinery and so on because there is not much time left for us to make sure that our machinery is in tiptop condition,” she told the press after the event.
She also believed that Sharizan, despite being a newcomer, will serve as any other good MP, if elected.
Rohani will be replaced by 37-year-old Sharizan from Kampung Pusa in Beting Maro, who is the youngest candidate of GPS in GE15.
Sharizan is the PBB Beting Maro branch youth chief.
Speaking to reporters, he said he will oversee continuous development in Batang Lupar, if elected.
“As a candidate, I hope for the support of all voters in the three state constituencies in Batang Lupar namely Sebuyau, Lingga and Beting Maro so that we (GPS) can have a louder voice in Parliament,” he said. — DayakDaily
