Nanta, who is the Member of Parliament for Kapit, said today that he would have to give up his federal Cabinet post if he is chosen to contest in the state polls.
KUCHING: Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has hinted that he may contest in the upcoming Sarawak state election.
Nanta, who is the Member of Parliament for Kapit, said today that he would have to give up his federal Cabinet post if he is chosen to contest in the state polls, which are expected to be called before the end of this year.
Nanta is the secretary-general of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), the main component party in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.
The other GPS component parties are Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Sarawak United Peoples Party and the Progressive Democratic Party.
“I have served at the national level in Parliament as the Kapit MP for almost 30 years.
“If given the opportunity to serve at the state level, I will no longer be involved at the parliamentary level when the time comes.
“We have a succession plan for the Kapit parliamentary seat.
“I will continue my political career at the Sarawak level,” he said at a PBB meeting at the party headquarters in Kuching today.
Nanta said he hopes to contest a state constituency in Kapit Division.
Kapit, located deep in central Sarawak, is among the three largest parliamentary constituencies in both Sarawak and Malaysia, alongside Baram and Hulu Rejang.
He also said it was time for a younger leader to take over the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
“PBB has leadership succession plans ready for our constituencies,” he said.
The current term of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly ends on Dec 18 this year.
The Election Commission has 60 days from the dissolution of the assembly to call for nominations and polling.
However, speculation is growing that GPS may dissolve the assembly shortly after the Gawai Dayak celebrations in June, paving the way for a state election to be held by September.
