Sarawak State Election: PDP should be entrusted to defend all its eight seats, say the party's Youth and Women wings

SIMANGGANG, Nov 8 2026: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Youth and Women wings have stressed that the party should be entrusted to defend all its seats on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) ticket in the December 12 state election.

In a joint statement, they said the party's position is that it should be given the opportunity to continue serving and defending the constituencies in which it now has an established political and grassroots presence.

"The selection of individual candidates, however, should remain subject to careful assessment of local circumstances, electoral competitiveness and the expectations of the electorate," they said in the statement posted on the party's Facebook.

They added the overriding objective must be to ensure that GPS fields candidates who are best positioned to win the confidence of voters and deliver effective representation.

"It is on this basis that we fully support the PDP leadership's efforts to defend all eight seats," he said, referring to Tasik Biru (Henry Harry Jinep), Engkilili (Johnical Rayong Ngipa), Bawang Assan (Wong Soon Koh), Marudi (Penguang Manggil), Dudong (Tiong King Sing), Ba'Kelalan (Baru Bian), Meluan (Rolland Duat Jubin) and Krian (Friday Belik).

The two wings said seats negotiations should not become a contest over historical ownership, saying: "Instead, they should focus on how GPS can best consolidate its grassroots machinery, draw upon the respective strengths of its component parties and maximize the coalition's overall electoral performance."

They said also concurred  with the approach emphasized by GPS deputy chairman Douglas Uggah Embas  to build upon the coalition's proven electoral strategies while remaining pragmatic and responsive to conditions on the ground.

"We believe the maturity of Sarawak's political landscape lies in the ability of GPS component parties to express their respective positions openly, while resolving differences through constructive discussions that place the coalition's collective interests and the people's mandate above all else.

"Respecting history does not mean being bound by it. Valuing experience does not mean rejecting change," they said.

The two wings reiterated their unwavering support for the party leadership's efforts to defend all eight seats under the GPS banner.

At the same time, they said they fully respect the authority of the GPS leadership, under Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari  Openg to make the final decisions on seat allocations and candidate selections.

"Ultimately, what matters most is that GPS presents the people of Sarawak with a strong, credible and electable team, capable of earning their continued trust and delivering further progress and development for the state," they said.

Sarawak State Election: Fadillah Yusof gives support for Fazzrudin and Ibrahim to defend their respective seats

KUCHING, Nov 8 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has reiterated his full support for the renomination of the premier's chief political secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman to defend his Tupong seat and caretaker Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Ibrahim Baki to defend his Satok seat in next month's state election.

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof gives his support to Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Ibrahim Baki to defend their respective seats

Tupong and Satok come under Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency represented by Fadillah.

"Fazzrudin, God willing, will remain a candidate as the premier has already indicated as much and will continue to serve as our State Legislative Member (SLM)," he said, referring to hints by Abang Johari Openg earlier.

"The same applies to Ibrahim, who is the PBB Satok division chief; God willing, he will continue to serve as an elected representative," he said at the launch of the PBB Youth motorcycle convoy, an event attended by the premier at the Kampung Matang Batu 10 multipurpose hall this morning.

Consequently, Fadillah, who is also PBB senior vice president, urged the party machinery to extend their full support to the candidates who will be contesting on December 12.

He expressed his hope that the efforts undertaken by GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) would be blessed with success, ultimately fostering the development of Sarawak.

Earlier, Abang Johari had also hinted that Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Martin Ben and incumbent Stakan SLM Hamzah Brahim expected to be renominated to contest in the state election.

The Election Commission has fixed Nov 28 as nomination.

Sarawak State Election: Two deputy ministers, two incumbents from PBB expected to be retained, hints Abang Johari

KUCHING, , Nov 8 2026: Gabungan Parti Sarawak(GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg has hinted that two deputy ministers are two other incumbent State Legislative Members (SLMs) from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will be retained to defend their respective seats in next month's state election.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says the names of GPS candidates  will be announced before nomination day on Nov 28.

They are Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Ibrahim Baki, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Martin Ben, Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and incumbent Stakan State Legislative Member Hamzah Brahim.

Ibrahim is expected to defend his Satok seat while Martin to be renominated in Kedup, Fazzrudin in Tupong and Hamzah in Stakan in the Dec 12 2026 state polls.

Abang Johari, who is also the premier, said the names of GPS candidates will be announced before nomination day on Nov 28.

He called on PBB Youth members to give their support to GPS candidates as their representatives.

"I don’t want to say too much, but I want you to continue supporting the incumbent elected representatives so that they remain as your representatives.

"The media already knows that if I bring this up, it means they will certainly remain as candidates," he was quoted as saying by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

The premier was speaking at the launch of the PBB Youth motorcycle convoy at the Kampung Matang Batu 10 multipurpose hall here today.

Ibrahim, Martin, Fazzrudin and Hamzah were present at the event, which involved 100 motorcycles led by the premier. The convoy was set to depart from the multipurpose hall and conclude at the Kampung Stakan Melayu hall.

Along the route, the convoy was scheduled to travel for one hour and 30 minutes, passing through Kampung Nombor before heading to Bintawa to cross the newly completed Sejingkat Bridge. 

From there, they were to proceed to the Kampung Stakan Melayu hall to attend the launch of the PBB Youth Sarawak election machinery.

Sarawak State Election: Selection of candidates from PRS should not be directly linked to last year's contest for party president, says Ngemah Youth wing

KANOWIT, Nov 8 2026: The selection of candidates from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) for the state election should not be directly linked to the contest for last year's party presidency at triennial delegates conference without clear justification and a solid basis, PRS Ngemah division Youth wing said in a statement posted on the division's Facebook.

It expressed hope that the party leadership will provide appropriate clarification regarding the issues raised, particularly concerning the constituencies of Baleh, Pelagus, and Ngemah. 

"Ultimately, the party’s struggle is not merely about posts and positions; rather, it is about the trust, loyalty, responsibility, and sacrifices of all members who have worked together to build the strength of PRS over the years," it said.

It added that the party belongs to all members; it is not the property of any single individual or specific group.

"Our struggle must be grounded in facts, not perceptions. Unity must be built upon the foundations of fairness and mutual respect," PRS Ngemah Youth wing said.

It wished to express its concern regarding a recent statement made by PRS vice president Wilson Ugak Kumbong, in a video clip recorded during his speech at the 'Digital Tour with the Community' event held at Rumah Dapong, Entawau, Baleh, Kapit.

"In his speech, he touched upon speculation, currently a hot topic in the Baleh, Pelagus, and Ngemah constituencies, regarding the potential replacement of candidates. 

"This speculation has been linked to the election of the PRS president during the 2025 triennial delegates conference, specifically involving claims that certain individuals might face replacement as candidates because they contested against the party president.

"We believe that such statements require clarification, as they do not accurately reflect the actual sequence of events that took place during the party leadership election process at TDC 2025," PRS Ngemah Youth wing said.

It wished to emphasise that internal party contests are a natural part of the democratic process, pointing out that offering oneself as a candidate for a position should not be interpreted as an act of opposition or a challenge to the party leadership.

It said divergent views during a contest should not be used as a yardstick for an individual’s loyalty to the party, saying that similarly, victory or defeat in an election should not serve as a basis for fostering negative perceptions toward any individual.

"We respect the top leadership of PRS, as well as all decisions made by the party. However, respecting the leadership does not preclude the raising of questions, regarding the party’s history, facts, or the implementation of its decisions—for the sake of obtaining clarification.

"If democratic principles are accepted during a contest, then the principles of fairness and inclusivity should likewise be upheld once the contest has concluded," PRS Ngemah Youth wing said.

During the PRS TDC from October 17 to 19, 2025, Kakus State Legislative Member (SLM) and Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai defeated Pelagus SLM Wilson Nyabong Ijang, winning 186 votes to 154.

Sikie took over from Joseph Salang Gandum who did not seek re-election.

FTES will stay, assures premier after some critics expressing doubts about its introduction

KUCHING, Nov 7 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has assured that the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) will stay, in response to some critics who have expressed doubts about its introduction.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that  the Sarawak government is doing its part in increasing the talent pool by providing eligible Sarawakians with access to higher education without tuition fees through FTES. 

"Some have questioned whether the scheme will stop the brain drain in Malaysia from happening while others have asked whether the government is wasting money if these students move overseas to work after enjoying free education," he posed at SHEDA annual dinner tonight.

"Although we cannot predict the future, our main priority is to prepare graduates whose skillset aligns with Sarawak’s aspirations," he said, adding that the state government is confident that in this process, it is building a future-oriented, Sarawak-centric economy that all graduates, whether Sarawakian or not, will want to be a part of.

In his text of speech read by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is doing its part in increasing the talent pool by providing eligible Sarawakians with access to higher education without tuition fees through FTES. 

He said the returns on investment the state ultimately seeks are world-ranked, globally recognised Sarawakian graduates who choose to develop Sarawak, not because they are forced through financial bonds or coercion, but of their own free will "because they see the value in contributing to the well-being of Sarawak’s people."

The premier believed that the people will remain the pulse of the state's progress. 

He said the state government wants Sarawakians to find opportunities, build fulfilling lives and prosper here. 

"We believe that in time, prosperity and profitability will follow people who are empowered," he said, adding that the Sarawak government is investing in human capital today because we are building ROI (return on investment) into the fabric of the Sarawak economy of tomorrow.


About 6,246 young Sarawakians are benefitting from the scheme, with more than half coming from lower-income families, this year.

In 2027, this figure is projected to grow to 10,600 students, supported by a budgeted allocation of RM200 million.