KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is positive an overlapping interest among its component parties on the state seats of Opar, Mambong and Bawang Assan will not be an issue.
GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg however said that at this time, they had not yet decided the candidates for the three seats.
“GPS will contest in all 82 seats (in the coming state election). We (will) come in as a team,” assured the caretaker chief minister.
“For the Mambong seat, maybe there is a bit of a problem but we will discuss it later,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony for the multifuel refuelling station at MJC Batu Kawah here on Tuesday (Nov 23).
Abang Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, was asked about the supposed disputes and overlaps on the three seats, which are the traditional seats of the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP). But the three incumbents – Datuk Ranum Mina (Opar), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Mambong) and Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh – all quit SUPP to form the Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
Dr Jerip, however, has since quit PSB to join Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
Looking on the bright side, Abang Johari said these were just three seats out of a total of 82, meaning 79 seats were alright.
“We can solve it, it is not a problem. We will decide after consultation. It is too premature now as today is only Nov 23 and the Election Commission (EC) has a meeting (tomorrow),” he said.
He said there was no rush and that he would announce GPS’ 82 candidates when it was time.
