GPS to contest all seats, featuring many new faces

KUCHING: The ‘Sarawak First’ slogan will be ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) theme for the 12th state election, where it will contest all 82 seats.

GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the theme was chosen to further emphasise the coalition’s commitment towards “Sarawakians’ struggle”.

“Sarawak politics is something that only Sarawakians know. Our politics is for a society that is multiracial, multireligious and multicultural.

“GPS will also bring up a new economic landscape that is based on the digital economy with a commitment towards sustainability and the environment,” he said after presenting appointment letters to the GPS candidates here yesterday.

He, however, did not announce the full list of candidates and when asked for the breakdown in terms of the four GPS component parties, Abang Johari said, “We will contest as one GPS”.

GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

Abang Johari confirmed that he will be contesting in Gedong, a state seat in the Batang Sadong parliamentary constituency.

He has been Satok assemblyman for nine terms.

Of GPS’ 82 candidates, 24 are new faces.

Abang Johari said the line-up is a mixture of experienced politicians and young talents.

Among the younger ones are 32-year-old Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (Lingga) and 30-year-old Azizul Annuar Adenan (Tanjung Datu), the latter the son of the late chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Nicholas Kudi Masing, 36, will take on the Baleh seat previously held by the late PRS president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.

“When we said we would promote young people, we were for real,” said Abang Johari.

“This is GPS, when we talk, we do it.

“And our young candidates are of various professions and educational backgrounds.

“Having young successors will guarantee development continuity for Sarawak,” he added.

PBB’s Azizul said he is proud to represent the voice of young people in politics.

“I will bring attention to Tanjung Datu. I have my own capabilities and people can judge for themselves,” said Azizul, who is making a bid to replace his mother Puan Sri Jamilah Anu, the incumbent.

Dayang Noorazah said Sarawak politics has long been dominated by males and it is time for women to make their mark.

“What’s wrong with fielding a woman to contest a seat?” she said.

She added that it was important to feature new faces in the election as Sarawakians are yearning for change.

“People are hungry for new faces and they are looking for something different.

“This is the best time for GPS and PBB to give a chance to youth to prove our leadership capabilities,” said Dayang Noorazah.

Nicholas, who is James’ nephew, said he would have a heavy task of filling the shoes of the veteran leader, who was Baleh’s assemblyman for more than 30 years.

“Tan Sri James’ passing is an emotional thing for me as a family.

“But I have worked a long time in Baleh and I know I can deliver for the people in the constituency,” said Nicholas.