KUCHING – A Sarawak DAP member has forewarned that PAS and Umno will not gain traction in Sarawak as extremism and bigotry have no place in the multicultural society of the placid people-friendly state.
“In Sarawak, religious freedom and interfaith bonding among the many ethnic groups, especially the Christian Dayaks and Malay-Muslims, are a model for the world.
“Even if PAS and Umno candidates contest in the election, I do not expect them to get popular votes and win because Sarawakians shun bigotry and racism,” said Michael Kong, the special officer to state party chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
“However, we must be wary as the Perikatan Nasional-friendly Gabungan Parti Sarawak is in talks with PAS and the Islamist party is also a part of the PN coalition.
“In this way, PAS may come to have an influence in Sarawak, whether its candidates are elected or not.
“Even if candidates from PAS lose the election, they may be appointed councillors, mayors, or given other appointed roles. We saw that happening in Sabah where a PAS leader was appointed immediately after the election.”
Kong said what happened in Sabah can also happen in Sarawak.
Sarawak is expected to hold a state election by the end of the year after Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud officially dissolved the state assembly on October 3. The election is to be held within 60 days of the date.
Political observer and community leader Peter Minos said PAS has contested seats in Sarawak state election but is yet to win one.
“This is not surprising, as Sarawak Malays perceive the party as being too extreme on matters pertaining to religion,” he said. “Sarawak Malay-Muslims are moderate, sensible, and get along very well with the Christian Dayaks and other non-Muslim ethnic groups.
“This goes far back to our cultural roots where racial and religious differences are not seen as factors that separate communities but rather are reasons to celebrate life in unity and harmony.
“That is why we do not have an official religion in Sarawak. There is no place for religious bigots and extremists here,” he said.
Fear of messing up Sarawak’s harmony
However, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) president Bobby Anak William begged to differ.
“Ours is a democratic country. PAS and Umno are Malaysian political parties. They are not foreign to the soil. So why stop them from contesting in the state election?
“If other political parties from the peninsula like PKR, DAP, and Amanah are allowed to contest in our state election, why deny PAS and Umno the opportunity? PBDS believes in a fair and just electoral process,” he added.
Activist and co-founder of Saya Anak Sarawak Peter Jaban however pointedly asked: “What can PAS and Umno offer to Sarawakians? We do not need them here.
“Probably, they will come to mess up our harmony. Ban all the non-halal food and drinks? Close all the entertainment outlets and even ban tattooing, which is very much a trait of Dayak culture?”
He said Sarawak is able to take care of itself as a state. “Sarawakians will stand together and fight for Sarawak,” added Peter.
Ba’kelalan assemblyman and Selangau MP Baru Bian said that based on democratic principles and processes, anyone can stand in an election wherever they want so long as they fulfil all requirements.
“I don’t think we have the power to stop any political party from standing in any election as long as their parties have been lawfully registered.
“We must leave the choice of voting to the people. PAS has branches in Sarawak and had stood in previous elections several times, but not Umno.
“This is because Parti Pesaka Bersatu Bumiputera (PBB) stopped Umno from pitching its candidates in Sarawak. PBB is strong in Sarawak, so there is no need for Umno to come into the state,” he said.
Baru said only those in the coalition with PAS and Umno can stop them from standing as candidates in the coming polls.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan is of the opinion that all political parties from West Malaysia who contest in state elections in Sarawak only take the rights of Sarawakians away.
“They cannot give us what we want. A seat won by them is a seat gained by Putrajaya. This is imperialism,” said Voon. – The Vibes, November 12, 2021
