4 from GPS to defend seats in Sarawak polls, says Abang Jo

Four assemblymen from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will defend their seats in next month’s state election.

GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg, who is also the Sarawak premier, named Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (Tupong), Ibrahim Baki (Satok), Hamzah Brahim (Stakan) and Martin Ben (Kedup) as the candidates, reported Berita Harian.

Abang Johari made the announcement a GPS event in Kuching today, saying the four men would once again be addressed as “Yang Berhormat”.

“I don’t have to say anymore. But I will see your (the four men’s) faces as YBs again,” he was quoted as saying.

Fazzrudin has been the Tupong assemblyman since 2016, while Ibrahim and Hamzah were first elected as the representatives for Satok and Stakan in 2021.

Martin has represented Kedup since 2011.

Ibrahim is the state deputy utility and telecommunications minister while Martin is the state deputy food industry, commodity and regional development minister.

The Election Commission has fixed Dec 12 as polling day for the Sarawak election, with nominations on Nov 28 and early voting on Dec 8.

The Sarawak legislative assembly was dissolved on Oct 26, paving the way for the polls.

GPS won 76 of the 82 seats up for grabs at the last state election in December 2021. Then opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secured four seats and DAP two.

PSB’s Batu Lintang assemblyman, See Chee How, later left the party to become an independent and voiced support for Abang Johari.

The party subsequently dissolved, with its leaders and members joining the Progressive Democratic Party, a GPS component, en masse.