MIRI – Opposition parties in Sarawak have committed “political suicide” by contesting against one another, on top of going up against the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.
Political analyst Datuk Lawrence Lai said the four opposition outfits of Pakatan Harapan, Parti Sarawak Bersatu, Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Parti Aspirasi had killed each other off even before being beaten by GPS.
The coalition has retained its hold on Sarawak after recording a simple majority.
By 8.27pm, it had won 42 of the 82 seats in the state’s 12th election today.
Lai, a senior lawyer and former Miri mayor, told The Vibes that the opposition parties’ apparent inability to unite is the primary cause of their downfall, along with the low voter turnout.
“In Sarawak’s elections, the ruling coalition already has a head start, as they have a ready base of their voters,” he said.
“The opposition parties, too, have sympathisers, but they must offer a common choice as their candidate so that the neutrals among the voters can make a straight choice.
“If there is more than one opposition party, then the voters will end up splitting their votes.”
Citing the Pujut seat in Miri as an example, where GPS was challenged by four opposition parties, Lai noted that GPS emerged the winner “even though it had fewer votes by itself than all of the opposition parties combined”.
“GPS got about 40% of the votes in Pujut. But the four opposition parties of DAP, PSB, PBK and Aspirasi shared the other 60% of votes.
“Had there been just one opposition party (contesting), GPS would have lost in Pujut.
“A closer look will show that a similar scenario can be found in constituencies in Kuching and Sibu too, not just Miri,” he said.
Lai said while voters may have a multiple of issues against the GPS, their votes for opposition parties end up being split, leaving GPS to taste victory.
There was also an absence of young voters, he added – which may explain the low overall turnout of 55% during this election. – The Vibes, December 18, 2021
