This is the final piece of a three-part series with Sarawak PKR chairman and Julau MP, Larry Sng Wei Shien.
KOTA KINABALU – Voters who are against party-hopping should send a clear message to their leaders at the Sarawak state polls as it will serve as a precursor to the 15th general election, said Julau MP Larry Sng Wei Shien.
“This will serve as a lesson to politicians to not repeat their mistakes.”
Yesterday, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said the state polls needed to be held as the assembly must to be dissolved when its term ends on June 7 next year.
Sng, who is also Sarawak PKR chief, said the party is prepared as seat negotiations are underway, and candidates have been identified.
He added, the party has been working hard to lock in grassroots support and expressed hope voters will give Sarawak PKR a chance.
No more infighting
With 82 state seats up for grabs, the Sarawak election is expected to be one of the most tightly contested.
The 2016 state election was marred by infighting as PKR and DAP clashed in six seats – Batu Kitang, Mulu, Murum, Simanggang, Ngemah and Mambong – and losing all of them.
Barisan Nasional (BN), then led by the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, won by a landslide, capturing 90% of the seats contested.
BN, which consisted of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 72 seats out of the 82, with PBB winning the lion’s share of the votes, capturing 44 seats.
However, after the 2018 general election, the four parties left BN to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Sng has reassured there will be no repeat of infighting as lingering issues have been ironed out during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership meetings.
“It is also important to note, those six seats that we had clashed over were resolved in the first meeting that we had. I believe there is now an understanding that PH parties should not be contesting against each other.
“I think DAP is more focused on its traditional seats. It is not venturing into rural constituencies with the same gusto as before, and PKR will be taking the lead instead.”
He added that PKR will be contesting in 47 seats compared to 40 seats in 2016, with DAP (25) and Amanah (10).
He said it is important that PH parties understand their respective strengths and weaknesses with the focus being to win the state.
A Sarawak for all
The rise of state nationalism in East Malaysian politics is reflected in catchphrases such as “Sarawak for Sarawakians”.
“We’re here to build a nation, we’re not here to build a particular race or political party, and sadly, that is what I see happening in Sarawak,” said Sng.
“We need to change that, because Sarawakians deserve better.”
He added the opposition’s candidate for the post of chief minister has yet to be decided.
PH faces an uphill task in Sarawak as there was widespread dissatisfaction with its leadership on the federal level.
Sng said the electorate wants to see a PH that is willing to coexist with its coalition partners by building on a common theme.
He also said that PH is in talks with the Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PBS) leadership.
“There are also other political parties outside of PH that may position themselves alongside us to present a united front. I think, after taking into consideration all these factors then perhaps we will prepare to announce who will be our chief minister designate.
‘Darkest hour just before dawn’
Politics still plays a key role in the development of the country, even though its image has been tarnished by corruption, party-hopping, and some leaders serving for their own interests, said Sng, when asked about the disenfranchisement of young voters.
“I think it’s more important now than ever before, that people take a stand, a political stand to ensure the reform process is carried out, and the country is moving in the right direction.
“Like the saying, the darkest hour is just before dawn, this is the time where we will have to work hardest before reap the fruits of our labour.”
He expressed hope that the youth of Malaysia take the opportunity to make a meaningful political change for their future. – The Vibes, October 20, 2020.
