Sarwwak State Election: Final list of candidates allocated to each component party to be known before nomination day, says GPS chairman

KUCHING, Oct 28 2026: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg said the seat allocations among the four component parties would be worked out by taking into account the current situation, including seats won by candidates from the respective parties in previous elections.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg arriving at PBB headquarters to chair the GPS leadership council meeting

He said the final list of candidates from each component party to contest on GPS's ticket would be announced before nomination day of the state election.

The thorny issue that GPS needs to iron out is the wrangling over three seats by SUPP and PDP. They have publicly staked claims to Engkilili, Bawang Assan and Bukit Assek state constituencies.

Engkilili and Bawang Assan seats were won by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in the 2021 state election. After PSB dissolved itself, Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) and Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) joined Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a component of GPS.

Both Rayong and Wong had won the seats when they were both in SUPP.

Bukit Assek was a traditional seat of SUPP, but in 2021 state election, it was contested and won by Tiong King Sing.

PDP may also be eyeing Batu Lintang which was won by See Chee How who stood on PSB's ticket in 2021. See left PSB before its dissolution.

Now, See has applied to join SUPP.

There is no dispute over Ba'Kelalan which was won by Baru Bian on PSB's ticket. He also joined PDP.

Baru has won Ba'Kelalan when he was in PKR.

Abang Johari said GPS will contest all the 82 state seats.

 “One thing I can announce is that GPS will contest all 82 seats. That is our decision.

“As for other matters, we are awaiting the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement regarding the election date; only then will we know the next steps to be taken,” he told reporters after chairing a GPS leadership council meeting at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here on Wednesday.

Out of the 82, it is almost confirmed that PBB will defend its 47 seats.

In the 12th State Election, GPS won 76 out of the 82 Sarawak State Legislative Assembly seats, with PBB securing 47 seats, SUPP 13, PRS 11, and PDP five.

The number of seats held by GPS subsequently rose to 79 in 2024 following the dissolution of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), as three former State Assembly members (ADUNs) from that party joined the PDP.

Sarawak State Election: Uggah, Karim and another state minister to step aside in coming state election?

KUCHING, Oct 28 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has confirmed that there are state ministers from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) who have offered to step aside to make way for new faces to contest in the upcoming state election.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg confirms that "some ministers" from PBB have expressed their desire not to contest in the coming state election

However, he declined to name them for now, but said he will announce the names once the Election Commission (EC) has set the nomination and polling dates for the state election.

“There are some, but I cannot disclose that right now. They are indeed from PBB. Just wait,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the GPS leadership council at the PBB headquarters in Petra Jaya today.

PBB, the main component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, has Douglas Uggah and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as deputy premiers and Fatimah Abduilah, Julaihi Narawi, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Dr Stephen Rundie as state ministers.

It is a public knowledge that Karim, who is caretaker Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, has expressed his desire to not defend his Asajaya state seat in the coming election.

However, he had told reporters that the final decision lied with the premier and PBB president Abang Johari as well as the voters in Asajaya.

His decision to step down is believed to be due to his failure to defend his post as vice president of PBB during the party Triennial Delegates Convention on February 15, 2025.

He received 669 votes, placing him 5th out of six candidates. Only the top four candidates secured the vice-presidential positions.

After the results were declared, Karim offered to step down as the state minister. However, the premier had said that the party election had nothing to do with the appointments of cabinet ministers.

Abang Johari said as the premier it was his sole prerogative to pick who he wanted to be in the state cabinet.

In June this year, Uggah, who is also PBB deputy president, had told reporters that he would leave it to wisdom of the party president to determine whether a leader should retire or continue serving the people.

He was asked to respond to speculations that he would not be contesting in the state election.

“We are getting old. We are running out of ideas. We may not be able to keep up with the technology. So, we leave it to the premier to decide,” he was quoted as saying by the media.

Apart from Uggah and Karim, another state minister may not be seeking re-election.

The minister was reported to have told the premier of the desire before the 2021 state election.

Take into account the realities of daily life before taking actions against owners of pickup trucks in Murum and Belaga, Abun Sui tells JPJ

MIRI, Oct 27 2026: Senator Abun Sui Anyit has urged the Road Transport Departmeht (JPJ) to take into account the realities of daily life, economic needs, and the challenges faced by communities in remote areas before taking actions owners of modified 4X4 pickup trucks in Murum and Belaga areas.

Caption: The modified 4X4 pickup truck with installed railings in the rear

He said for the smallholders, pickup truck is not merely a vehicle for daily use, it is also an essential tool for their livelihood. 

"The installation of railings in the rear is typically intended to facilitate the transport of oil palm fresh fruit bunches and other agricultural produce, particularly in areas where transport infrastructure is limited," he said in a statement today.

"It must be recognized that not all smallholders have the financial means to purchase lorries or commercial vehicles specifically designed for transporting agricultural produce.," he said, noting that for many, a single 4x4 pickup truck serves multiple purposes, such as transporting palm oil harvests, carrying essential supplies, and managing family affairs.

"Therefore, we should not automatically assume that pickup owners who carry out such modifications are intentionally seeking to break the law.

"Instead, we should seek to understand the purpose behind these modifications and the actual circumstances that have compelled these individuals to make them," Abun Sui, who is also PKR Hulu Rajang branch chairman, said.

He said he understands that laws must be enforced with due regard for fairness, reasonableness, and the impact on the lives of the people. 

"But enforcement approaches that lack due consideration must not end up burdening smallholders who are striving to protect their livelihoods and the survival of their families," Abun said.

He urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Transport and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), to temporarily suspend enforcement actions concerning modifications to the sideboards (tailgates/fences) of pickup trucks used for transporting agricultural produce, pending the study of an appropriate solution, subject to safety risk assessments and existing laws.

He also called on JPJ to engage in dialogue with the local community, including representatives of smallholders, community leaders, farmers' associations, and the relevant authorities—to better understand the residents' actual needs and prevent misunderstandings.

He also called for a review of existing regulations, including the possibility of legislative amendments or the establishment of reasonable, specific guidelines for vehicles used by smallholders in rural areas, provided that road safety remains upheld.

He said JPJ should develop a practical and achievable approval or modification mechanism, enabling smallholders to transport their agricultural produce without being burdened by requirements that are ill-suited to their means or local circumstances.

"I wish to emphasize that this appeal is not intended to reject the law or challenge the responsibilities of the JPJ. Rather, the goal is to ensure that the law is implemented fairly and prudently, with due regard for the interests of the people, particularly those with low incomes who rely on agricultural produce for their survival.

"One should not view these infractions solely through the lens of regulations; one must also consider the lives of the people behind these violations," he said, stating that for smallholders in Murum and Belaga, every bunch of oil palm fruit transported represents the fruits of their hard labor to support their families.

"I hope that the government and the JPJ will listen to the grievances of the rural community and work toward a fair and practical solution," he said, adding that while studies and discussions are underway, due consideration must be given to ensure that any related enforcement actions do not disproportionately affect the livelihoods of smallholders.

He said regulations must safeguard the well-being of the people, yet their implementation should also take into account the realities of the people's daily lives.

Sarawak transport ministry asks airlines and bus operators to increase services before and after polling day of state election

KUCHING, Oct 27 2026: The state Ministry of Transport has written to airlines and express bus operators to explore for additional services before and after polling day for the upcoming 13th state election, particularly flights between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

In a statement issued today, the ministry said the move aims to support Sarawakians returning to their registered constituencies to fulfil their civic duty.

The ministry recognises that many Sarawakians work in various states in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Singapore and Sabah, and may face challenges in arranging their journeys home during periods of high travel demand.

For air travel, the ministry has requested airlines to plan for increased flight frequencies during the week before and the week after polling day, to accommodate voters travelling home to vote and their return journeys afterwards.

For express bus services, the ministry has advised and encouraged operators in Sarawak to temporarily increase trip frequencies from three days before polling day until three days after polling day.

The ministry has also encouraged express bus operators to schedule additional services, deploy reserve buses and make tickets available for early online booking to help prevent ticket shortages and facilitate safe and smooth travel along major routes in Sarawak.

Any changes to express bus trip schedules remain subject to notification to and approval by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak.

Additional flights will depend on the airlines’ operational capacity and the necessary approvals. Details of any additional flights or express bus services, including schedules and ticket availability, will be announced by the respective operators once confirmed.

The ministry encourages travellers to plan their journeys early and refer to operators’ official channels for accurate information on schedules, fares and bookings.

Russia keen to share with Sarawak establish rocket launch facilities and manufacture satellites

KUCHING,Oct 27 2026: Russia is ready to collaborate with Sarawak in developing its aerospace industry, including sharing expertise to establish rocket launch facilities and manufacture satellites.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (right) with Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov during the courtesy call

Its ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl Latypov said that Sarawak possesses potential strategic locations for developing a rocket launch site, such an undertaking requires supporting infrastructure, technical expertise, and a skilled local workforce.

“I hope this collaboration will be mutually beneficial as we can share our experience in constructing rocket launch sites.

“We are also prepared to cooperate in satellite manufacturing and construction, as well as capacity building,” he  told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Premier Abang Johari Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today.

Latypov added that this partnership could also be expanded to include iCATS University College, particularly in aerospace-related education and training.

“We are ready to offer opportunities for Malaysian students to pursue higher studies in Russia and hope to hold discussions with iCATS University College to identify potential collaborative opportunities in capacity building.

“We have prior experience collaborating with UniKL MIAT and hope that similar cooperation can be extended to iCATS University College or other institutions,” he noted.

Latypov stressed that further discussions between experts from both sides are necessary to ensure the proposed initiatives can be effectively translated into actionable follow-up plans. —

He also said his country is interested in exploring collaboration with Sarawak in agriculture, specifically in rice cultivation technology, agricultural research, and animal feed production to boost sector productivity.

He said that Russia sees strong potential for cooperation with Sarawak, leveraging local expertise, technology, and knowledge in paddy production as well as veterinary science.

“We are very interested in Sarawak’s experience and capabilities in veterinary medicine, particularly in animal feed production, including manufacturing methods and the types of animal pharmaceuticals that can be produced.

“We are also keen on Sarawak’s technology and expertise in rice cultivation,” he said.

Latypov noted that while Russia is known for its cold climate, its vast territory encompasses diverse climatic conditions, including regions well-suited for rice production.

He added that Sarawak’s experience and technology could serve as a solid foundation for knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives to enhance agricultural yields.