GE15: GPS' Batang Lupar candidate eager to serve should he win

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) newcomer Mohamad Shafizan Kepli, 37, looks forward to serving in the Batang Lupar parliamentary constituency should he be elected in the coming GE15.

He thanked Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Batang Lupar incumbent Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim for naming him as the candidate for the seat.

“I will continue to work on the efforts made by Rohani for the development of our area, Batang Lupar. Regarding the existing plans and ones that will soon be carried out, I will refer to the leadership of the party and the three state assemblymen of Sebuyau, Lingga and Beting Maro,” he said.

Rohani, who is also the former minister of women, family and community development, had previously been a Member of Parliament for Santubong from 1990 to 1999 before switching to Batang Lupar for another four terms.

Shafizan added that he also looks forward to working with the leaders of the party and state assemblies mentioned if he was to win in the upcoming elections on Nov 19.

“Our main focus at the given moment is for our theme on ‘Sarawak First’ which focuses on giving back the rights of the people of Sarawak. We will be paying close attention to this issue.

As for our manifestos, we will announce them on Sunday (Nov 6) with our Premier,” he told reporters.

When asked how he hopes to appeal to the youths of Batang Lupar, he said he believes it will be a breeze as he has always been active in youth activities and was given the opportunity to serve in the state youth organisation Saberkas.

"I trust that the youths are familiar with me and there will not be any kind of awkwardness,” he said.

Another new face is Rodiyah Sapiee, 44, who looks forward to following in the footsteps of Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri in the Batang Sadong seat.

Nancy will be moving to the Santubong seat in the polls.

“Just as Nancy has done in the past, I will also ensure that Sarawak's rights are fought for in the upcoming elections,” she said.

Given that she will have big shoes to fill, Rodiyah said she will work with the three state assemblymen of Batang Sadong, namely Gedong, Sadong Jaya, and Simunjan.

"I won’t deny that I feel nervous but I am thankful for the opportunity given. I will try my best to fill these shoes as well as I can,” she said.

When asked how she planned to gain the support of the younger voters, she said there are strategies placed by the state assemblies to gather the attention of these voters.

"I hope that I will be given all the support that I can get by the voters in the coming days," she said.

Of the 31 new candidates that GPS announced, 15 of them were new faces.