KUCHING, April 17 — Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS Baru) today named four of its candidates for the 14th general election (GE14) on May 9.

Party president Cobbold John Lusoi will stand in Sri Aman, deputy president Patrick Anek in Mas Gading, engineer and businessman Johnny Chuat in Lubok Antu and Wanita head Sylvia anak John Gemok in Selangau.

PBDS Baru’s director of operations Rapelson Richard Hamit said the candidate for Puncak Borneo has also been confirmed, but his name is being withheld at his request.

"We will name the candidates for Serian, Kanowit, Kapit and Julau before nomination day on April 28 after they have undergone a screening process,” Hamit told reporters here.

He said the party will thoroughly check their backgrounds, commitments to the party’s Dayak agenda and ability to fund their own election operations.

He said PBDS Baru’s strict selection process means only candidates who meet the party’s criteria will be picked.

Hamit said the party will not contest in Saratok, but will give its support to PKR candidate Ali Biju who is set to face a candidate from Barisan Nasional.

"We want Ali to win because he has done a good job as the state assemblyman for Krian, as well as fighting for the rights of the Dayaks, including native customary rights land,” he said.

Hamit said the party welcomes donations from the public to help the party’s candidates in their campaigns.

"We are a party whose supporters are mainly rural farmers and NCR landowners so we  cannot compare ourselves to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan, which have huge resources at their disposal; but we enter the election to fight for our Dayak’s rights and interests,” he added.