FORMER PKR strongman Baru Bian retained the Ba’kelalan seat, defeating four other candidates to win by a majority of 680 votes, in the Sarawak elections today.

Baru received 2,687 votes to Sam Laya’s (GPS) 2,007. Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Pita Asut scored 110 votes, PKR’s Martin Labo (57), and Independent Agnes (55).

Baru stood on the Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) ticket.

He won the seat for PKR in 2011 and 2016 after two failed attempts in the 2004 and 2006 state elections. 

Baru left PKR in 2020 after the ousting of the federal government in February the same year. He subsequently joined PSB as a presidential council member. –  December 18, 2021.