GE15: GPS ready to take on former minister Baru Bian in Lawas

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready for the challenge of facing former works minister Baru Bian in the Lawas parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said GPS would work hard to ensure victory not only in Lawas but in all 31 parliamentary seats in the state.

"We are prepared," he told reporters when met at the soft launch of the Sarawak Kitchen and SME stalls in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta here on Friday (Oct 28).

Asked to comment on Baru switching seats from Selangau to Lawas, Awang Tengah said it was up to him to do so.

"We are a democratic country, anyone is free to contest in any seat.

"As for GPS, we will place candidates in every seat," he said.

Awang Tengah is the assemblyman for Bukit Sari, one of two state constituencies in Lawas.

The other state constituency is Ba'kelalan, which is held by Baru.

In 2018, Baru won the Selangau seat on a PKR ticket and was appointed works minister in the Pakatan Harapan administration.

After Pakatan's fall in 2020, he left PKR and later joined Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).

On the Sarawak Kitchen event, Awang Tengah said it was an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase their wares, from traditional to modern dishes.

"This is also a venue for us to promote Sarawak’s food, particularly to the many visitors coming for the regatta," he said.

The Sarawak Kitchen and SME stalls will run from now until Nov 6 at the Kuching Waterfront.

The regatta kicks off with the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta this weekend, followed by the Sarawak Regatta races next weekend.