New faces to the fore for GPS
No fewer than 20 ‘fresh and younger’ candidates to replace GPS incumbents in coming polls, reveals Abdul Karim
I’m in the party, so more or less I am aware there will be changes for some of the state seats, where new candidates, including those from the youth group, will be chosen to contest.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: At least 20 candidates from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for the upcoming 12th Sarawak election will be fresh and young faces, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He informed that some of the incumbent State Legislative Assembly (DUN) members from GPS will not be fielded and the decision lies with the chairman of the GPS coalition, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“I’m in the party, so more or less I am aware there will be changes for some of the state seats, where new candidates, including those from the youth group, will be chosen to contest.
“I think no less than 20 of the candidates for the upcoming election will be new, including those aged about 30,” said Abdul Karim at a press conference a er officiating the ‘Ziarah Belia’ programme @ Tanjung Datu at Sematan Palm Beach Resort yesterday.
He said the selection process was not made in haste but through screening of a group of young individuals who were already experienced and experts in their respective careers or nongovernmental organisations.
“We want candidates who place the interest of the people at heart and possess the ability to look a er a constituency. Not those without experience.”
As for the incumbents who will be dropped for the next state election, the PBB leader believes they will adhere to the party’s decision.
“This is our way in Sarawak. Some of the incumbents who were advised not to contest will adhere to the party’s decision. In other parts of the country, some people might already decide to switch to another party but this is not the case in Sarawak.”
However, Abdul Karim explained the decision to drop some of the elder incumbents did not necessarily mean they had not carried out their duties well, but was to make way for new candidates.
On women candidacy, he said it was undeniable that women played a role in the development of the state and that was the reason women candidates must be fielded in the state election.
Abdul Karim said there were currently four women from GPS representing state constituencies, and the number might be increased or remain the same in the next state election.
Among those attending the press conference were state Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary Nancy Jolhi and Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.