MIRI – Gabungan Parti Sarawak appears to have started its election machinery in the rural areas by putting up flags, banners, and billboards with the coalition’s logos prominently displayed.
Former deputy state speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala told The Vibes that GPS had done its groundwork long before the dissolution of the assembly.
Gala, who is the Mulu assemblyman, is from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
PBB is the GPS linchpin, and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, and Progressive Democratic Party are the other component parties.
Gala said he has been visiting his constituents very often.
“The rakyat know us. They know our track record and our objectives. I am now getting PBB agents for the polling centres.”
Election teams are already on the ground even though GPS does not know the dates for nomination and polling, he said.
A check on the social media sites of the state-owned Sarawak Public Communication Unit showed GPS teams making their visits to remote villages and longhouses, even as far as Ba’Kelalan near the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
The Election Commission is expected to hold a meeting sometime this week in state capital Kuching.
They may fix the dates for nomination and balloting during their meeting.
The Vibes has learnt that GPS prefers November 27 as the polling day. The opposition parties want the polling to be on January 2.
Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui said the January 2 date will enable all voters in the automatic registration group, as well as Undi18 voters, to cast their ballots as the ruling comes into effect next year.
Sarawak has 82 state constituencies, 68 of which are under GPS. – The Vibes, November 9, 2021
