KUCHING: Several incumbent state assemblymen from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) have offered not to defend their seats in the coming Sarawak state election, says PBB secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

       He said they made their intentions known at the party’s supreme council meeting which was chaired by PBB president and Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Friday night.

       “Yes. Some made the offer voluntarily and the party president expressed his deepest appreciation to them for withdrawing voluntarily to make way for new faces,” he said after the meeting.

       Bernama reported that Nanta declined to reveal the actual number of incumbent assemblymen who offered not to defend their seats.

       He said their decisions were in line with PBB’s plan to field new faces as part of the party’s continuing renewal process to maintain its legacy of excellence as the backbone of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak administration.

       Earlier, three incumbents from PBB – Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz in Kalaka, Datuk Naroden Majais (Gedong) and Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan (Katibas) – had announced their decisions not to contest in the state polls.