MIRI – At least 16 political parties will be contesting in the upcoming 12th Sarawak election.
Based on public statements made by these political parties, the coming state polls are going to be a smackdown.
In a statement, opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general George Lo said that so far, PSB has identified candidates for 65 out of the 82 state seats.
“We are still looking for the right candidates for the remaining seats,” he said, adding that some of the chosen ones have experience as assistant ministers.
The statement was issued right after Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) announced that its three coalition partners – DAP, PKR and Amanah – will field candidates in all 82 seats.
Lo said PSB has no issue with PH, and is willing to work with those who aspire to improve the state.
Ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had announced late last year that it will contest all state seats, with Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg saying that most GPS candidates had been identified.
GPS is made up of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party and Progressive Democratic Party.
PAS has also announced it will contest in at least 10 Malay-majority constituencies in Kuching, Bekenu and Lawas districts.
Its state commissioner, Jofri Jaraiee, said the Islamist party will field candidates in the coming state polls, even though PAS and GPS are “friendlies” as they are partners in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government.
Sarawak Bersatu had said it wants to field candidates in Kuching areas, even though Bersatu and GPS are PN partners at the federal level.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang is placing candidates in all seats, with party leaders confirming several names for seats in Kuching, Sibu and Limbang.
Its president, Voon Lee Shan, said his party is not aligned to GPS or PH.
Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party, Sarawak Workers Party, Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak Baru, Sarawak for Sarawakians and Sarawak Independence Alliance have also announced their intentions to contest in all seats.
These five parties said they are joining forces with each other in a loose coalition called Gerakan Anak Sarawak.
Several individuals have also expressed their intention to contest as independents, including incumbent Padungan rep Wong King Wei.
Wong left DAP last year citing disappointment with the party leadership. He won Padungan under the DAP banner in the previous state election.
The current state assembly comprises GPS with 68 seats, PSB (6), DAP (5), one independent, one Bersatu and one vacant.
Pujut assemblyman Ting Tiong Choon, who is from DAP, was disqualified due to a citizenship issue.
The current term of the assembly expires on June 8, but GPS parties are gearing up for an election in late March to early April, before the fasting month.
If dissolution does not take place by June 8, the current state assembly will automatically dissolve.
The election commission will have 60 days from then to set the dates for candidate nomination, campaigning and balloting. – The Vibes, January 6, 2021
