MIRI – The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a component of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak, announced that it will field lawyer Sam Laya to challenge opposition strongman Baru Bian in the Ba’kelalan constituency in the upcoming Sarawak election.
PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today said that Laya is the only candidate proposed by PDP to contest the seat.
“PDP has nominated Laya to win back Ba’kelalan. He has been working hard there over the years. He will serve the people well.”
Tiong said this when addressing PDP members during his visit to Lawas town today.
Lawas is a gateway to the Ba’kelalan area, located near the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
Tiong urged voters there to give Laya a chance to serve them and bring more development.
Baru has held the seat since the 2011 state election when he won it on a PKR ticket by 473 votes against PDP’s Willie Liau.
Baru successfully defended the seat as a PKR candidate in the 2016 state polls by 538 votes against Liau and an independent.
However, two years later, Bian resigned from PKR to join Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
PSB has recently announced it will nominate Baru to defend the seat in the coming state polls.
The state election is to be held within 60 days from the dissolution of the state assembly on November 3.
Baru, a lawyer, was formerly a federal works minister and Sarawak PKR chairman.
The Ba’kelalan seat is expected to see GPS battle against PSB, PKR, and Parti Bumi Kenyalang. – The Vibes, November 20, 2011
