KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has left speculation over a possible move to the Demak Laut seat unanswered, instead joking that he would contest all 82 seats in the coming 13th Sarawak General Election.
When asked whether he would contest the Demak Laut seat, Abang Johari, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, quipped that he would be contesting every seat.
“I am the GPS chairman, I will contest all 82 seats,” he said in jest.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the Sarawak Form Six Student Leadership and Empowerment Convention 2026 here today.
His response, however, did not clarify whether he would remain in his current Gedong seat or make a move to Demak Laut, leaving speculation over his own candidacy unresolved.
Demak Laut is currently held by Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), who retained the seat in the 2021 Sarawak Election with a majority of 6,399 votes.
Abang Johari previously represented Satok before moving to Gedong in 2021.
On Nov 5, he said the list of GPS candidates for the 13th Sarawak Election had yet to be finalised, adding that decisions on the candidates would be made at a later date.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 28 for nomination day, Dec 8 for early voting and Dec 12 as polling day for the 13th Sarawak Election.
