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MIRI – Sarawak’s opposition will suffer a serious dent if Pakatan Harapan (PH) deliberately hands Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) a walkover in the coming Jepak by-election, said a prominent native rights group here.
The Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (Scrips) said the opposition should put up a serious and fair challenge in Jepak and not just give in to GPS, just because it is a partner at the federal administration.
“It looks like PH is going to hand GPS an easy victory just so that it does not rock the boat at national level, where GPS is part of the BN-PH unity government,” said Scrips secretary general Michael Jok.
If this happens, he said it will be a serious dent in the Sarawak opposition’s image.
So far, there has been no statement from Sarawak PH that it is going to contest the seat. Only Sarawak PKR yesterday made it clear it will not contest in the Jepak by-election.
State PKR deputy chairman Abun Sui said PKR Sarawak leaders held a state level leadership council meeting on Sunday and unanimously agreed not to field a candidate in Jepak.
The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip on September 15.
Polling will be on November 4, while nomination on October 21, and early voting will be held on October 31.
It was earlier reported that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) had submitted more than 10 names to the GPS leadership for consideration.
Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg confirmed that GPS will field a candidate from PBB for the seat. – The Vibes, September 27, 2023