12TH STATE ELECTION
KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is expected to field several new faces to contest in the 12th state election (PRN12).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also GPS chairman, said he was currently monitoring the performance of all GPS assemblymen.
“So far, I am pleased with their performance although some of them need to work harder. However, change needs to be done to create a new generation of leaders who can better govern the state,” he said in an exclusive interview at his office at Wisma Baba Malaysia in Petra Jaya, yesterday.
Further elaborating, he stated that among the criteria that a candidate should have are experience, ability to control a multiracial state as well as being mindful of the sensitivities of the people.
Present at the interview were New Sarawak Tribune (ST) and Suara Sarawak (SS) executive director and chief executive officer Dr Jeniri Amir, the two papers’ chief operating officer Rudi Affendi Khalik and ST executive editor Rajah Murugaiah.
Meanwhile, during a special interview with the media in the morning, Abang Johari said the state election would not happen soon as the term of the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) would only end next year.
He said there was no rush to hold the election.
“What is the hurry? The term ends in 2021, so it will be in 2021,” he said, adding that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) machinery was on standby mode and ever-ready to go ‘into battle’ at any time.
The opposition State Reform Party (STAR)recently announced it was eyeing 22 of the 82 seats in the 12th state election.
Its president Lina Soo said they had identified six potential candidates to contest.
As for Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said his party might contest in seats that it felt it had a winning chance.
“It could be 50, 60 even all the 82 seats,” he said on Sunday.
During the state election in 2016, four Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties from Sarawak won 72 of the 82 seats.
The then opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) retained its three seats and Democratic Action Party (DAP) won seven.
