KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready to face the Opposition in the upcoming state election to protect Sarawak and Sarawakians and to continue its plan to develop the state, says Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president said such development was as mentioned by the chief minister under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“With the power bestowed upon the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, lifting the Emergency means that we are obliged to hold the 12th State Election (PRN-12) within 60 days after the gazettement, since our term expired in June this year.
“We have been preparing for PRN-12 and GPS is ready and focused on retaining our strongholds. We are confident to increase our majority too,” he said on Thursday (Nov 4).
He said this when commenting on Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Wednesday (Nov 3) consenting to the Proclamation of Emergency for Sarawak, which took effect on Aug 2, to be lifted.
“We will abide by the Election Commission’s (EC) standard operating procedure (SOP) for the coming PRN-12,” added Dr Rundi, who is also Utilities Minister.
Meanwhile, PBB Women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said PBB Women members were in high spirits and ready to march into the battlefield led by GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the forefront.
She said the lifting of the Emergency in Sarawak meant that their state election machinery should go into fourth gear.
“We are eagerly awaiting the announcement on nomination date, polling date, campaign period, and specific SOP from EC due to Covid-19.”
Fatimah, who is also Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister, said that all involved must be mindful of compliance with the SOP set by the EC before, during, and after the election.
“This election is in the new norm, thus there are challenges for us as party workers, especially for women campaigners who are so used to doing house-to-house campaigns and with a face-to-face approach – very much a hands-on campaign.”
