KUCHING, Nov 3 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) decision to field new faces to contest in the 15th General Election (GE15) reflects the coalition’s understanding and unanimity in continuing its struggle, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said it also showed the coalition’s political maturity with its leaders and members holding fast to the principle of putting the party’s priorities above self-interest.

"This strong spirit of unity and kinship is the strength of GPS which is made up of PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (PDP),” he said in a statement today.

Fadillah said GPS candidates were tasked with a huge responsibility in GE15, in addition to facing a new challenge in terms of the Undi 18 voters who will be casting their ballots for the first time.

"Thus, we cannot just rely on GPS’s success in winning 76 out of 82 seats in the Sarawak state election last December.

He reminded GPS candidates and election machinery not to take the challenge posed by opposition parties lightly, saying that they need to work hard to woo voters of all ages.

Fadillah, who will defend the Petra Jaya parliamentary seat, received his candidate document from the Premier of Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today along with 30 other GPS candidates.

Abang Johari said GPS candidates comprised those who are experienced, 14 new faces and five women. — Bernama