{
  "id": 17244734,
  "title": "Abang Johari’s aide tipped for Bawang Assan seat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/abang-joharis-aide-tipped-for-bawang-assan-seat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T15:11:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/30/abang-johari-s-aide-tipped-for-bawang-assan-seat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sarawak's Progressive Democratic Party is expected to nominate Joshua Ting, 41, as their candidate for the Bawang Assan seat in the upcoming state elections. Joshua Ting is currently the political secretary to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg. The Bawang Assan constituency had been represented by Wong Soon Koh for seven terms, who previously served with Sarawak United Peoples' Party but is now a senior vice president of the PDP. The Progressive Democratic Party and Sarawak United Peoples' Party are currently competing for the Bawang Assan seat. It is reported that Wong Soon Koh and the PDP president, Tiong King Sing, met with Abang Johari, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman, regarding the matter last week. In July, it was disclosed that the SUPP intended to nominate Kevin Lau, a branch youth leader, as their candidate for the Bawang Assan seat in the upcoming state polls. The SUPP president, Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the deputy premier, announced his intention to submit the nomination to Abang Johari. The Election Commission is scheduled to meet on November 6 to determine the dates for the Sarawak state election.",
  "summary": "Joshua Ting is expected to contest the seat that has been represented by Wong Soon Koh for seven terms.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}