MIRI – Political activities and pre-campaigning meetings for the Sarawak polls are increasing of late, with the government coalition organising briefing sessions for polling and counting agents.
Parti Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), the backbone of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, is now holding meetings with PBB community leaders at the grassroot levels, who will be deployed at polling stations and counting centres across the state.
Personnel from the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the state’s official mouthpiece, have also been roped in to mobilise community chiefs for the briefings.
Ukas and PBB today organised a briefing session with community chiefs in the Jemoreng constituency.
Its assemblyman, Datuk Juanda Jaya, presided over the meeting while Ukas special administrative officer Datuk Takun Sunggah gave a briefing on the procedures for polling agents.
According to Ukas, Juanda told the community chiefs to prepare for the state elections.
“The 12th state elections could be called at any time now. We must get ready all the necessary manpower at the grassroots levels.
“The briefing for polling agents for the voting and counting stations are important so that they are updated on the procedures they must follow.
“PBB wants to make sure it is fully prepared in all aspects,” Juanda said.
Juanda added that GPS wants to get a fresh mandate from the rakyat soon and return to power with more support.
GPS comprises PBB, the Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
GPS currently controls 68 of 82 state seats and 18 of 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak.
The state legislative assembly term had expired on June 6 and was supposed to be automatically dissolved on June 7.
However, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong imposed a localised emergency in Sarawak until February next year, effectively postponing the state polls.
Those in GPS circles have told The Vibes that the state election is set for late October, after the 2022 Budget is tabled.
However, the election dates also depend on the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak. – The Vibes, August 26, 2021
