KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) can retain its stronghold in Bukit Saban in the 12th Sarawak state election, said a political analyst.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak lecturer Dick Lembang Dugun said the incumbent, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had the upper hand thanks to his position as Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister.

"The people in Bukit Saban certainly do not want to lose the Deputy Chief Minister post and this is one of the contributing factors as to why he (Uggah) can defend the Bukit Saban seat," he told Bernama.

Dick Lembang said although the GPS could retain the seat, it is very likely that the coalition will see a decline in their majority votes as the other candidates, especially Andria Gelayan of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), are no pushovers either.

Elaborating, he said Andria was popular at the grassroots level, but the possibility of split votes between PSB and PKR would give an advantage to the incumbent.

"However, anything can happen in politics...let's wait for the result," he said.

Besides Andria, Uggah will be up against Mikail Mathew Abdullah of PKR in the state polls tomorrow.

Meanwhile, longhouse chief Saga Unggot, 63, described Uggah as a leader who is capable of bringing changes to Bukit Saban.

"Apart from sincerely carrying out his responsibilities as an elected representative, he has brought a lot of development (to the constituency).

"For example, our longhouse in Nangga Ulai, Ulu Rimbas is now equipped with basic facilities such as electricity supply, roads and he also assisted the residents in their agriculture activities," he said.

Saga said Uggah's concern in looking after the welfare of the residents in the Bukit Saban constituency also made him known to many as a dedicated leader and respected by the people, from children to the elderly.

-- BERNAMA