MIRI – Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) continues to harbour hopes of securing a united front with the state’s local opposition parties to fight the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to minimise the possibility of multi-cornered fights, especially in rural seats.
Sarawak PH information chief Abun Sui Anyit told The Vibes today that a “one-to-one fight” in each seat was crucial if the opposition parties were to make any headway against GPS.
Abun, who is also Sarawak PKR deputy chairman, is confident that a straight fight between PH and GPS for the Hulu Rajang seat has been agreed upon .
The seat was last won by Wilson Ugak Kumbong of Parti Rakyat Sarawak, a component of GRS.
“We in Sarawak PH are working very hard to achieve a united force with all local opposition parties and I think we have attained this crucial united front in Hulu Rajang.
“I have reached an understanding with local opposition leaders in Hulu Rajang, such as the grassroots leaders in Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), to help me fight GPS.
“In principle, the local opposition leaders in Hulu Rajang have agreed that they will support me and Sarawak PH,” he claimed. “They said they will let Sarawak PH challenge GPS in a straight fight in Hulu Rajang come nomination day.
“I am very thankful for that and we hope this united opposition front in Hulu Rajang can be emulated in all the other constituencies,” he said when interviewed.
Abun, a lawyer, said a united opposition front was the only way to topple GPS.
“Every vote is crucial especially in this GE15 (15th general election) and in rural Sarawak, every opposition group must help Sarawak PH or else we cannot win against the incumbent GPS,” he stressed.
PKR will contest GE15 in Sarawak using the PH logo in a show of unity with its coalition partners.
Abun noted that the party leadership in the vast state has agreed to using the PH symbol for all its candidates.
“This is a show of unity and purpose among Sarawak PKR and our party leaders throughout the country,” he had said recently.
“It is also a demonstration of unity and purpose with our Pakatan Harapan partners,” he added. “We in Sarawak PKR enter this poll as a united front with PH.”
PKR is expected to contest at least 16 of the 31 parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak.
The other 15 seats will be shared between DAP and Amanah.
Of the 31 seats, GPS controlled 19, independents held two, and the rest were occupied by PBM, Sarawak DAP, and PSB prior to the dissolution of Parliament on October 10. – The Vibes, October 20, 2022
