THE 12th state election in Sarawak, which was initially set for February, could now be held as early as late December following the dissolution of the state assembly recently.
Several reliable sources within the “intelligence-gathering” circles have revealed to me that the polls being held earlier is due to specific factors that might affect the incumbent Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) chances.
According to them, a majority of new voters who fall under the Undi18 category are apparently “very determined” to vote against GPS if the polls are held beyond January.
A report, which was purportedly prepared by these individuals, stated that up to 70% of these new and young voters would vote against GPS if they are able to cast their votes on polling day.
The report was said to have caused panic among GPS’ top brass.
It is widely speculated that this concern was exactly what prompted GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg to rush a petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to lift the health emergency in the state on November 3.
Instead of next February when the emergency was supposed to end, Johari and GPS wanted the state election this year, as Undi18 law will yet to come into effect.
Opposition parties in the state have been quick to slam Johari and GPS for their move to quickly dissolve the state assembly, the very same day the King announced the lifting of the emergency in Sarawak.
By dissolving the assembly, GPS has successfully forced the hand of the Election Commission (EC) to fix a polling date within a 60-day limit.
It is learnt that prior to the dissolution, many GPS leaders have been pressuring the EC to set a polling date before the end of this month or early December.
The move by GPS leaders seems obvious that they are indeed desperate to avoid Undi18 and automatic registration of new voters who will be eligible to cast their ballots come January.
It also presents the perception that Johari and GPS believe that young voters have something against the incumbent administration.
However, the question persists. Why should Johari and GPS be so afraid of these new voters?
Once Undi18 kicks in, there would be roughly 665,000 new Sarawakian voters next year, which roughly translates to 22% of the state’s population.
It could be wrong to presume that the majority of these new voters are anti-GPS.
If Johari and GPS have been doing a good job in managing Sarawak, they should not be afraid of facing these new voters.
Just because some quarters have predicted that there are many anti-establishment minded young voters out there, it does not mean they will vote against GPS.
Even if they are anti-establishment, these new voters must still be allowed to exercise their democratic rights to vote for whichever party they choose.
No parties should purposely and intentionally make any move to prevent these voters from exercising their freedom to vote.
State PKR vice-president Dr Michael Teo, who is also Miri MP, and state PKR information chief Abun Sui have been very vocal in calling for polling day to be held on January 2 to allow new voters to vote.
The date will fall within the 60-day limit to hold polling following the November 3 dissolution.
The state PKR chapter has apparently written an official request seeking an urgent meeting with the EC top brass in Sarawak and Putrajaya.
Abun said the EC should neither ignore nor black out the opposition when it comes to setting the dates for nomination and polling.
Indeed, the EC must be neutral in its decision-making by meeting all parties including discussing polling day arrangements.
The EC should also agree to set January 2 for polling instead of any date this year, so that new voters will have the chance to exercise their rights to vote for the representatives and state government of their choice.
GPS, Johari, and the EC must be seen as fair in handling this matter.
However, recent rumours and indications have indicated that the EC is set to discuss dates by the end of November with polling roughly one week before Christmas.
By intentionally sidelining new voters with early polling set within this year – thus preventing new voters from casting their ballots – will be a grave act of injustice and betrayal against the rakyat, not just against new voters. – The Vibes, November 14, 2021
Stephen Then is a reporter with The Vibes based in Sarawak
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