IT has been eight days since the conclusion of the 12th Sarawak state election that saw the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) return to power by winning 76 of the 82 state constituencies in this vast state.
The last column I wrote around this time was whether the manner in which GPS won the state polls will see Sarawak going forward in a better or worse direction.
I was hoping that politics would take a back seat after that, until a few days ago when a foreign-based political analyst called up.
This person was very keen on the outcome of the election and how GPS achieved a landslide victory, but he had read reports that the election was not conducted in a regular democratic way, that there was no level playing field, that even before the election proper, the ruling regime had bent the scales in its favour.
It is a usual practice for foreign agencies to show keen interest in local political events in Sarawak.
In past state and general elections, I had personally met with foreign writers, political analysts, business and industry observers who came to Sarawak and spent time talking to local reporters, politicians from opposing political divides, community leaders, business people and NGOs.
The latest state election did not see any of them, probably because of Covid-19 restrictions, but they still kept in touch via phone and social media.
The chat I had with the analyst last week rekindled my urge to comment on the things that took place during the recent state election.
I will summarise the points raised in the chat, which all pointed to the possibility of a different outcome in the state polls:
1. If those in the Undi18 and automatic voters group were able to vote.
2. If the opposition parties of DAP, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), PKR, Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Aspirasi had cooperated or formed an alliance to fight GPS.
3. If GPS did not use enticement by allegedly handing out cash, cheques, and promises of project allocations to longhouses, the urban poor, community groups, and religious institutions.
4. If GPS had not allegedly abused the many special Covid-19 MCO aid packages for state election purposes. Even on December 17, on the eve of polling, the GPS election machinery sent out messages via social media and telecommunication devices saying that GPS had approved numerous financial packages of “Sarawak Sayangku special aid” for B40 families and individuals, small-scale entrepreneurs, Bumiputera communities and those under welfare schemes. That really tipped the scale towards GPS.
5. If public speaking was allowed, as latest issues in Sarawak would be brought into the open for debate.
6. If the opposition had not been oppressed by unfair SOPs set by the authorities in the name of tackling Covid-19.
7. If the GPS had been stopped from using government resources for their campaign, as it was only in a caretaker position.
8. If the opposition not displayed stupidity and foolishness so openly. For example, DAP chief Chong Chien Jen and PSB chief Wong Soon Koh were openly debating with each other in the local press as to which party will have the better chief minister, even though neither had won any seats. And DAP’s Dr Kelvin Yii pulled a foolish stunt by putting up a giant Christmas tree topped with the party’s rocket symbol in Batu Kawah. This turned away many Christian voters.
9. If the locals had been able to break free from the chain of beer politics, money politics, politics of fear and threats, and submission to decades of neglect and marginalisation.
The analyst asked me if any good can come with having a one-sided, super-powerful regime.
I said: “Yes, if this regime can use its grip on power to bring up the marginalised, and close the huge divide between the wealthy and those struggling daily.
However, experiences in the past decades show that the powerful and rich in Sarawak get even more during times of political monopoly, and the rest remain far behind.”
But, there is hope things will change. Next year, Undi18 and automatic voter registration will be in place.
There are as many as 400,000 Sarawakians living, studying and working outside Sarawak, with an estimated 250,000 who are eligible as new voters as they have not changed their Sarawak address.
Over the past week, GPS leaders did not display any jubilation on this election victory.
There were no grand victory speeches, glossy congratulatory messages or adverts.
It is obvious they realised their victory in this 12th state election was shallow and quite hollow, too, achieved through unfair tactics.
The neutrals in society will want to see a better administration in this state, without the corrupted, powerful few and their cronies running riot.
The political analyst said rural Sarawakians will never break free from the chokehold of money politics, as can be seen by how they are afraid to vote for change even after living for decades in dilapidated longhouses, with no water and electricity, with roads in bad conditions, and no proper income.
I told him that for those in the political arena, religious bodies and community circles with sincere ideals to see a mindset reset across the board in Sarawak, the flame burning in their heart cannot be doused, no matter the magnitude of challenges they face. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021
