MIRI – Both ruling coalition and opposition in Sarawak are asking for more freedom to campaign during the 12th state election.
The ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) wants house-to-house campaigns to be allowed.
Its secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said that due to the logistics settings, it is not possible to reach out to voters without physical methods.
“In Melaka, they used social media, handphones, televisions, and other online methods to reach voters.
“Melaka is a small state, so it is easier to reach the voters.
“Sarawak has poor online communication networks in the rural regions.
“We still need to reach out physically to them,” he told reporters in Kapit town during an event.
Nanta said GPS has conveyed a request to the Election Commission (EC) for more freedom of movement for party workers during the campaign period.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday also called for the EC to allow fairer chances for opposition parties to reach out to voters during the state election.
He said the ban on physical campaigns in Melaka had hindered efforts by contesting candidates to reach and meet voters.
The EC will meet in Kuching on Wednesday to discuss the standard operating procedures and other key matters like dates for the state election, which is to be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the state assembly on November 3. – The Vibes, November 21, 2021
