Nangka assemblyperson Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah is prepared to defend his seat which he has held for three terms, in the next state election.

However, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member said the final decision would depend on the BN leadership.

He also dismissed talk that he would withdraw from contesting in the coming state election as the state seat is located in the Sibu parliamentary constituency which BN lost in the by-election in May, as a baseless rumour.

"If given the task, I'm always ready to defend the Nangka seat.

"Furthermore, I'm the incumbent for three terms," he said, adding that the PBB and Sarawak BN election machinery were all geared up for the coming state election.

Earlier, Awang Bemee who is also the Kuching Port Authority (KPA) chairperson, presented gold medals and certificates of appreciation to 45 retiring staff at a reception held at the KPA office in Kuching.

Awang Bemee, 52, first won the Nangka seat uncontested in 1996. He retained the seat with a 7,020-vote majority in 2001 and again in 2006 with a majority of 4,815 votes.

- Bernama