I HAD an interesting conversation with a political veteran during the past week, and of course it was about the state election.
He believes that the ruling state government of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will retain its majority to return to power.
“It will not be a landslide victory, but GPS will still win enough rural and semi-rural seats to form the next state government,” he said. The man is from the Barisan Nasional (BN) era, during the time when GPS was in the BN coalition.
“We are living in hard times now, especially with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that saw more people suffering from financial problems.
“People need money, material aid, financial subsidies, jobs, food, fuel. These are the realities of daily life not just in the rural areas but also among the urban poor.
“They will vote for those who can give them what they want. That is why even the opposition parties are giving food aid and material help… they know they need to give in order to receive the votes they need.”
It is a fact of life in Sarawak that money, project allocation, welfare aid and grants feature prominently in every election.
Out of the 82 state constituencies, GPS controls 68, of which more than two-thirds are rural and semi-rural seats.
Sarawak PKR received ground information that GPS has been channelling a large sum of financial and material aid to rural settlements, said state PKR information chief Abun Sui Anyit.
“Looks like GPS is going full scale in trying to win the hearts of rural voters in Sarawak. Rural votes had been a key factor in enabling Sarawak BN to retain power for so long.
“GPS, which is the new brand for Sarawak BN, is doing the same thing again, enticing rural voters.”
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR said it is countering the enticement by telling rural villagers to realise GPS’ true intentions.
We tell the rural folk that when GPS gives monetary or material aid, the villagers must accept out of courtesy but they are not obliged to vote for GPS in return. They must vote based on their freedom to choose, not based on enticement.”
Sui is being idealistic.
As it is, cash, grants and food are flowing from politicians to Sarawak voters. This will happen even on polling day.
For now, speculations are rife that GPS will call for the state election late next month. Although the state legislative assembly had expired on June 7, Sarawak is currently under a localised emergency until February.
However, it is rumoured that GPS chairman and Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg will petition the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to lift the emergency before it expires.
This will pave the way for the dissolution of the state assembly to be gazetted and the Election Commission to set the dates for nomination and balloting.
Whatever our ideals are, we cannot deny that there will be a sizable population of voters in Sarawak who will be enticed to cast their ballots for those who can give them what they need. – The Vibes, October 17, 2021
Stephen Then is a reporter with The Vibes based in Sarawak
