S'WAK POLLS Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) today announced it will contest 13 seats, fielding two Christians and two women, in the party’s election debut in Sarawak.

The two women candidates will run in Semariang and Balingian, while the Christian candidates will contest in Gedong and Sebuyau. which are mixed seats predominantly made up of Malay and Dayak voters, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub told reporters in Kuching.

He said the opposition party will be up against Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) incumbents, adding they also welcome competition from PAS.

"Let them be the old party. We feel it is very important for Amanah to be part of Pakatan Harapan, to remain with a coalition that would help bolster our strength and garner relevance within the community," Salahuddin today.

The party's election director Hatta Ramli said the party is aware of the fight ahead: "Defeating PBB candidates is something that is not impossible.

"God willing, if we work hard and deliver our message that they can do better than the present policies of the ruling state government, I'm confident the voters of Sarawak would place their trust with Pakatan Harapan," he said.

The two are among six MPs who left PAS last year to join Amanah.

The candidates announced today are:

N05. Demak Laut Mohammad Fidzuan Zaidi

N07. Semariang Nani Sahari

N16. Muara Tuang Abang Abdul Halil Naili

N24. Sadong Jaya Othman Mustapha

N26. Gedong Rapelson Richard Hamit

N27. Sebuyau Andrew Anak Jain

N29. Beting Maro Andri Zulkarnaen Hamden

N40. Kabong Jini Sahini

N41. Kuala Rejang Sufian Julaihi

N42. Semop Fadillah Sabali

N43. Daro Ibrahim Bayau

N44. Jamoreng Kiprawi Suhaili

N58. Balingian Nurzaiti Hamdan