MIRI – Bersatu and PAS’ hope of contesting in the 12th Sarawak election on a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) ticket has been dashed, with the coalition announcing today that it has identified candidates for all 82 state seats from among its components.
"There are no more seats left for Perikatan Nasional parties to contest in Sarawak,” said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah at a party function in Kuching.
“Even though GPS and PN are friendly partners at the federal level, GPS will contest in Sarawak on our own.”
He said it is good that PN is willing to help GPS secure a landslide win in the next state polls, adding that the former’s role is only to provide support.
Bersatu and PAS have expressed their intention to field candidates in the state election.
At present, GPS holds 68 of the 82 state constituencies.
The state coalition, formed on June 12, 2018, comprises PBB, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.
The current state assembly’s term will expire on June 7, and the Election Commission has 60 days from that date to hold the vote. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021