Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has named retired teacher Thomas Laja as a potential candidate in the next parliamentary election in Sarawak for the Kanowit seat retained uncontested by Datuk Aaron Dagang of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2008 general election.
Laja, who hails from Nanga Jagau in the interior of Ngemah in Kanowit, was introduced today at the weekly news conference of PKR Lanang Division chairman George Chen.
Chen said he felt that the contest for the seat would not be a straight fight between PKR and BN as independent candidates are expected to join the fray.
Kanowit is an Iban-majority rural seat once held by Iban political leader Tan Sri Leo Moggie, who has retired and is now Tenaga Nasional Berhad chairman.
Meanwhile, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, vice-president Tian Chua and wanita chief Zuraida Kamarudin are expected to attend a gathering in Kanowit on Jan 20. – BERNAMA