Malaysia

Crucial inroads by opposition into Sarawak’s interiors promise good fight for state polls

Tussle for urban seats expected to go into the night

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 17 Dec 2021 6:34PM

Crucial inroads by opposition into Sarawak’s interiors promise good fight for state polls
Rural voters working in Miri making their way into rural Baram to cast their vote for Sarawak election tomorrow. – STEPHEN THEN/The Vibes, December 17, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – Sarawak opposition parties – Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) – are confident that they have made crucial inroads into the state’s interiors while solidifying many urban constituencies.

Sarawak DAP, PKR and PSB veterans told The Vibes that as the campaign draws to a close, there is hope for a better Sarawak with a stronger opposition front.

Sarawak DAP veteran Chiew Ching Sing, an assemblyman for 35 years, said the opposition will emerge stronger.

He said that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) ruling coalition will not retain the 68 out of the 82 seats it had.

“The GPS is expected to just manage their two-thirds majority.

“No landslide for them, and they will lose a number of rural seats plus many urban seats.

“As it is now, we in DAP are confident of winning quite a number of urban seats in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and possibly in Miri.

“Together with our other PH partners of PKR and Amanah, we should combine well with PSB to form a strong opposition front,” he said.

Chiew who did not seek re-election in his Tanjung Batu seat in Bintulu town said there is hope for a more just Sarawak.

Sarawak PKR vice-chairman Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng also said that PKR has reached out to many new groups in the rural communities.

“We are hopeful there will be a few good results for us tomorrow,” he said

PSB Miri chief Bruce Chai also said the party has made inroads into central rural Sarawak and expanded its presence in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

“We will win quite a few seats and create a few upsets against GPS,” he said.

In the meantime, some rural voters working in Miri have journeyed into the rural polling stations by four-wheel-drive vehicles and express boats.

The weather in Miri city is fair but the interior areas are cloudy. Polling starts at 7.30am tomorrow. – The Vibes, December 17, 2021

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