No list of ministers, reps to be dropped for Sarawak polls, says GPS

 Its spokesman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says anonymous messages should not be taken as confirmation of prospective election candidates.

GPS spokesman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said those circulating such a list – which included photographs of the purported candidates – probably wanted to gauge the public’s response. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has dismissed a list, currently making the rounds on social media, of ministers, deputy ministers and elected representatives from the ruling coalition who will supposedly be dropped as candidates in the upcoming state election.

GPS spokesman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that since no official announcement has been made, anonymous messages should not be taken as confirmation of prospective election candidates, Dayak Daily reported.

“An anonymous letter does not identify or disclose who sent it. So we do not need to assume that whatever is written in it is true,” he was quoted as saying.

Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief, said those circulating such a list – which included photographs of the purported candidates – probably wanted to gauge the public’s response.

He said it was likely that those disseminating the list would praise the decision to drop these politicians as candidates.

“This is so that those at the top can see the public’s reaction,” he added, alluding to the GPS leadership.

Karim went on to stress that PBB and GPS have never published photographs of individuals being considered for candidacy ahead of an official announcement.

The Sarawak legislative assembly was dissolved on Oct 26, paving the way for the 13th state election to be held within the next 60 days.

GPS, which intends to contest all 82 state seats, will field a mix of new faces and experienced leaders.

Its chairman, Abang Johari Openg, previously said that some elected representatives have chosen to step down of their own accord, stressing that “some incumbents are not being dropped, but instead choosing to step aside”. - FMT