GPS names all 82 candidates vying for seats

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has named Royston Valentine as the coalition’s candidate for Tellian.

The 35-year-old was the final candidate to be announced for the 82 seats that will be contested by GPS in the state election.

Royston’s candidacy was announced by Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, a fellow Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) youth member.

“Another young candidate for the 12th state election to contest in Tellian. He is PBB youth supreme council member and former Malaysia Youth Parliament member. A grassroots activist,” said Lukanisman in his tweet.

An undergraduate in Business Management from the Malaysia Open University, Royston is from Mukah and is active in several youth organisations, associations and clubs.

Royston could not be contacted for comments.

National Professors Council senior fellow Dr Jeniri Amir said there was some intrigue within PBB over the choice of the Tellian candidate.

“There seem to be problems on the ground as there are six or seven aspiring candidates while the incumbent will not be fielded,” he said.

Tellian was one of the 11 new seats in the 2016 state election that was won by PBB’s Yussibnosh Balo.

In a name list circulated after GPS’ introduction of its candidates on Friday, the Tellian and Ba’kelalan seats were left blank.

Progressive Democratic Party secretary-general Datuk Nelson Balang later confirmed that the party’s candidate, Sam Laya, will be fielded by GPS in Ba’kelalan.

Sam, when contacted, said he received his appointment letter from GPS with the rest of the candidates on Friday.

“Yes, I am the candidate for Ba’kelalan. I have received my letter from the (GPS) chairman,” he said.

Sam will be facing the constituency’s two-term assemblyman Baru Bian from Parti Sarawak Bersatu.

A lawyer by profession from Long Sukang, Sam said he is a familiar face in the area.