KUCHING, Nov 3 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) today announced the names of its 31 candidates, including 14 new faces, for the 15th general election (GE15).

GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, in making the announcement, said the candidates consist of those with experience, and a mix of youth and those who are middle-aged.

"We also added two more women as candidates for GPS,” he told reporters after handing over credential letters to all the candidates at PBB headquarters.

Among the new faces are engineer Rodiyah Sapiee who will be contesting in Batang Sadong, taking over from caretaker tourism, arts and culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri who will move to Santubong.

Incumbent Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar declined to seek re-election.

Another new face is Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie, who is PRS Women chief. She will be contesting in Sri Aman.

The state assemblymen who will contest in the general election are Lo Khere Chiang to contest in Stampin, facing DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, and Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii in Sarikei.

Lo is the state assemblyman for Batu Kitang and Huang, the state assemblyman for Repok.

Incumbent Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin is also contesting on the GPS ticket.

In the 2018 general election, he won on a PKR ticket and left the party for Bersatu in 2020. Early this year, he joined PBB.

Incumbent Datuk Seri Rohani Karim is also missing from the list as she declined to seek re-election in Batang Lupar.

PRS president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum is making a return to Julau, the seat he lost to Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM)president Datuk Larry Sng in the 2018 general election.

Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak premier, said the candidates will carry the Sarawak flag to Parliament under the theme "Sarawak First”, especially on matters relating to the state’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement.

He said over the past year GPS had succeeded in its constitutional demands through former Santubong MP and caretaker minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said these include amendment to the Federal Constitution relating the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners with Malaya in the Federation of Malaysia.

Abang Johari said he will launch GPS election manifesto on November 6.