GPS has announced the candidates for the 15th general election. PBB has 14, SUPP (7), PRS (6), and PDP (4) for a combined 31 seats in parliament. Today they go to the respective nomination centres to formalise their selection for their constituencies.
The new young faces that have been chosen is quite an interesting mix. In P200 Batang Sadong (Rodiyah Sapiee) replaced incumbent Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (who has moved to P193 Santubong), and P201 Batang Lupar (Mohamad Shafizan Kepli) replaced the incumbent Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
A change in GPS has begun to create chances for young people to participate in and contribute to the political development of this state. In highlighting youthful and new candidates in the last 12th state election, GPS has shown itself to be progressive.
The Santubong incumbent, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, has been replaced with Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, one of the surprises that drew quite an attention. This shift has little effect politically as the new candidate can ride on the popularity and good record of her predecessor. As for Nancy herself, she has shown her capabilities in Parliament and in Batang Sadong as a federal minister. She is beyond reproach.
The political participation of women in Sarawak is an additional issue that GPS has addressed quite well. Th coalition’s decision to place five female candidates — Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (P193), Datuk Rubiah Wang (P197), Rodiyah Sapiee (P200), Doris Sophia Brodi (P202), and Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib (P213) in this year’s general — election demonstrates how far Sarawakian women has gone in politics.
Regarding the incumbents, several have hot seats including P192 Mas Gading, P198 Puncak Borneo, P203 Lubok Antu, P205 Saratok, P209 Julau, and P214 Selangau. They must be prepared for any eventuality and work hard to deserve their positions.
The expectation is that the newly announced candidates will be capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in full, and it is important to highlight the strong, integrity-based cooperation between the incumbents and the newbies. The older candidates have experience that can be enhanced and complemented with fresh young blood.
** Dr Nur Aida Kipli (PhD) is a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.
The views expressed here are those of the analyst and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
