Fresh faces or familiar names? Abang Johari says GPS candidate list coming Nov 25

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will announce the full list of all 82 candidates who will contest in the 13th Sarawak state election on Nov 25, said its chairman, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 15 Nov 2026 4:02 PM MYT

KUCHING, Nov 15 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will announce the full list of all 82 candidates who will contest in the 13th Sarawak state election on Nov 25, said its chairman, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Johari, who is also the president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), hinted at the possibility of changes to the party’s candidate list, aiming to provide an opportunity for a mix of young and experienced leaders.

“Certainly, there may be some changes, with a mix of younger individuals and experienced figures among the candidates we will put forward.

“We will share the details with you on November 25, all 82 candidates so please wait until then,” he said when met by reporters after the PBB Southern Zone Convention here today.

Earlier, while addressing the event, Abang Johari urged PBB members who are not selected as candidates for this state election to continue supporting whoever is chosen.

He said this spirit and culture of mutual support form the foundation of PBB’s success, serves as the anchor party within the GPS coalition.

“Even if you are not chosen as a candidate, the spirit remains, just as others would support us, we must likewise support them. Having PBB representatives is crucial because our party is strong, stable, and possesses sufficient resources to remain self-reliant,” he said.

Earlier, Abang Johari hinted that eight incumbent State Legislative Assembly members from GPS might be retained as candidates involving four PBB representatives namely Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Datuk Ibrahim Baki, Datuk Hamzah Brahim, and Datuk Martin Ben.

The other four incumbents are from the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP): Datuk Seri Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Datuk Lo Khere Chiang, Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, and Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing.

GPS comprises four component parties namely PBB, SUPP, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 28 as nomination day, with early voting scheduled for December 8 and polling day for December 12. — Bernama