LEADERS of Pakatan Harapan in Sarawak have been told to prepare for a potential state election this year, with party officials warning that organisational readiness will be crucial after the coalition failed to secure a single seat in the last contest.
Sarawak Pakatan chairman Ahmad Nazib Johari said members must strengthen their branches and electoral machinery in anticipation of both the upcoming state polls and the next general election.
“We must be prepared, because this year we may face the state election. The question is, are we ready to fight?” he said at the PKR Lanang Chinese New Year Gala Dinner on Sunday.
Referring to prospective candidates in attendance, he urged them to consolidate support at the grassroots level to ensure the coalition could contest with confidence.
“With the candidates who are here tonight, I hope they will be ready, strengthen their respective branches and fortify the party. When the election is called, we must be able to enter the contest confidently and uphold the democratic process,” he said.
In the December 18, 2021 Sarawak state election, Pakatan contested 28 seats but failed to win any, underscoring the scale of the challenge it faces in the state.
Ahmad Nazib also highlighted national policy priorities, noting that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was paying close attention to educational development in Sarawak, particularly the upgrading of dilapidated schools and inadequate facilities in both urban and rural areas.
“In the current situation, the Prime Minister is very concerned about education. We see many areas in our towns and rural regions affected by dilapidated schools and inadequate facilities.
The government is taking the initiative to focus on repairing and upgrading dilapidated schools and to complete what is lacking in the education sector in Sarawak,” he said.
He called on party members to serve as conduits between communities and leadership by reporting infrastructure and welfare gaps.
“I urge everyone present tonight to cooperate by becoming the eyes and ears on the ground. Inform us of what is lacking - whether it is roads, utilities, schools or government assistance. Only with accurate information from the grassroots can we effectively channel the needs of the people to the leadership,” he added.
PKR Lanang chairman Michael Lee also addressed attendees at the function, reinforcing calls for early mobilisation as speculation grows over the timing of the next state election. - March 2, 2026
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