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KUCHING – Santubong incumbent Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has offered to not seek re-election in the 15th general election (GE15), said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
However, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman said he has yet to decide if he would accept the veteran politician’s decision.
“He has asked to step down but I have not made my decision. But since he has said so, ‘apa boleh buat?’ (what can I do?),” he told a press conference after officiating GPS Women’s GE15 election machinery at Penview Convention Centre here today.
When asked why Wan Junaidi had decided not to defend his seat, Abang Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, said it was the incumbent’s own choice to do so.
“He wants to because he told me that he’s already 77-years-old. ‘Benar juak’ (That is true). He also said that he wants to do other things but he will continue to give us advice.”
Speculation had been rife that the four-term Santubong MP had decided not to stand this GE15, preferring to make way for a younger candidate.
The Borneo Post recently reported that two names have been discussed to contest in Santubong under the GPS ticket – namely Wan Junaidi’s political secretary Datuk Seri Syed Hamzah Syed Paie and Samariang PBB information chief Datuk Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad.
On October 14, six-term MP Wan Junaidi remained coy when asked whether he would seek re-election, and only said that he would prefer PBB’s leadership to decide on his fate.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said GPS’ list of candidates for GE15 is “99.9% finalised”.
“Right now, it’s just a matter of one or two names to be vetted. We are waiting for the clearance.
“I’ve got the clearance from the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission, but I’ve yet to receive news from the Insolvency Department and police.”
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas and GPS Women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah. – Borneo Post Online, October 30, 2022