KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will field a mix of experienced and new faces in the coming state election, which is set to be called following the dissolution of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said several incumbents will step down ahead of the polls but declined to say how many.
“They are not dropped, some are stepping down. There will be some new faces. What I can say is that it will be a combination of the experienced and the young,” he said at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here yesterday.
Abang Johari said the candidate line-up will be decided at a GPS meeting, which will also discuss its election theme.
On the dissolution, he said it was appropriate for GPS to seek a fresh mandate as the current state assembly is approaching the completion of its term, which expires on Feb 14.
Over the last five years, he said, the GPS government worked to advance Sarawak’s development, strengthen its economy, improve infrastructure and public services and safeguard Sarawak’s rights and interests in accordance with the Federal Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The people of Sarawak must have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose and elect a new government with a fresh mandate to continue the development agenda of Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had granted consent for the state assembly to be dissolved on Oct 26.
The state election must be held within 60 days.
He thanked the Sarawak people for their trust and support over the last five years as well as elected representatives for their service and dedication.
Political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said the timing was politically favourable for GPS.
Awang Azman said an early dissolution allowed GPS to capitalise on political continuity and administrative readiness, while avoiding prolonged electoral uncertainty.
He also identified early to mid-December as a plausible window for the state election to be held.
GPS currently holds 80 of the 82 seats in the state assembly. The remaining two are held by DAP.
