ASAJAYA: Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will be contesting against three other candidates in his bid to defend the Asajaya seat in the state election on Dec 18.

       Having won the seat four times since 2001, Abdul Karim from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will be challenged by Ishak Buji from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Mohamad Mahdeen Saharuddin of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and PKR’s Mahmud Ipah.

       Their names were announced by Returning Officer for Asajaya Rais Ahmad after nominations at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Asajaya No.2 closed at 10 am.

       In the 11th state election, Abdul Karim, the former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president, contested on a Barisan Nasional-PBB ticket and defeated Abang Junaidi Abang Gom (PKR) with a 6,163-vote majority in a straight fight. - Bernama