5 Sarawak incumbents may sit out election over health issues

KUCHING: At least five incumbent Sarawak assemblymen, including two deputy ministers, may be left off the candidate list for the 13th Sarawak election due to health issues, according to a source. One of the assemblymen is reportedly stepping down following a recent leg amputation required by a chronic illness. Additionally, two deputy ministers, including a woman, are considered too unwell to stand in the upcoming election.

This situation suggests potential shifts in Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) candidate roster, particularly involving incumbents who can no longer effectively serve as elected representatives because of health concerns. However, GPS leaders have not officially confirmed which individuals might not be renominated for the election. A special meeting of the Election Commission is set to take place in Kuching to determine the key dates for the Sarawak election, including nomination and voting days.

Earlier, Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, stated that the GPS candidate list would not be revealed until shortly before the nomination day. All four GPS component parties — namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Progressive Democratic Party, and Sarawak United Peoples' Party — have agreed to leave the candidate selection entirely to GPS caretaker chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

This decision grants Abang Johari the authority to decide the coalition's candidates for all 82 state constituencies, including whether to field new candidates to bolster GPS's prospects of retaining power. With the candidate list expected to be announced nearer to the nomination day, focus now lies on Abang Johari's decision and the possible alterations to GPS's line-up for the election.