MIRI – The official campaign period for the 12th Sarawak State Elections have kicked off moderately.
Several state constituencies that are considered “hot seats” due to expected intense movements by party machinery have remained calm and peaceful.
Checks by The Vibes throughout the city here at Piasau and Pujut revealed that the public going about their day as usual.
“I have to work; it is still a working day. Work is more important – I set politics aside for another time,” said office worker Fabian Wong when met near the town centre.
Election workers from Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) component party Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and the opposition parties of DAP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) were seen erecting flags, banners and billboards at strategic locations.
It seemed like all of these political party workers were choosing roundabouts as their preferred locations to garner public interest.
Miri’s roundabouts, as well as residential estates and commercial centres, have become the preferred location for parties to erect place their campaign material.
A check at SUPP and DAP’s head offices saw no unusual crowding.
Similar to the recently concluded Melaka election, Sarawak’s campaign period will see no physical campaigning due to measures against Covid-19.
Candidates are only permitted to go on walkabouts without giving speeches.
They will also have to utilise social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as avenues to reach out to voters.
The only exemption for the no-physical-campaigning rule is for places that have little or no means of online communication, which comprise 68 rural and semi-rural seats, where candidates can perform activities such as public speeches.
Sarawakian are set to cast their vote on December 18. – The Vibes, December 7, 2021
