Written by: Averroes
(1.0) Introduction
Soon, Sarawak would have their State Elections on 18th December 2021 to elect representatives in the State Assembly or Dewan Undangan Negeri. There are 1,252,014 voters and it is expected that there should be 70% of the voters turnout. The expenditure for the whole election costs RM150 million with 46,565 election workers employed.
Though some say it is only 65% which is only roughly 813,800 people, perhaps due to some Sarawakians living in Semenanjung, they went back to their Kampung for Christmas earlier, live abroad or due to interconnectivity issues between rural and urban-voting areas.
However, the elections were supposed to be held earlier, but due to the COVID-19 Emergency declaration by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, it was postponed. In actuality, it was postponed two times. The State Assembly automatically dissolved on 7th June and polls were expected to be held within 60 days according to article 21(4) of the the Sarawak State Constitution.
The Emergency proclamation declared between 12th January to 1st August 2021 prevented the elections from being held. After the first emergency ended, another emergency was declared from 2nd August to 2nd February in 2022 to prevent a State Election which could cause another increase of COVID-19 cases.
However, the YDPA consented to end the 2nd emergency declaration on the 3rd of November 2021, which then allowed the elections to be held on the said 18th December 2021. Despite the pandemic, the Election Commission have taken steps to ensure that the elections comply with COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines by the Health Ministry, National Security Council, PDRM and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.
There are a total of 82 seats in the State Assembly. The campaign period of set for 12 days only from 6th December to 17th December 2021, a day before the real elections.
(2.0) The contesting parties
(2.1) The GPS Coalition
There is a number of 16 political parties in Sarawak. The largest coalition would be Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). This coalition is spearheaded by Datuk Seri Abang Johari Openg (Abang Jo) who managed to attain 67 seats in the previous elections. Due to their sheer strength, they are vying for all the 82 seats, while dismissing their federal ally who are Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Abang Jo is also the President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) whom he also has control over 47 of the 67 seats in GPS, mostly centered in the rural areas. PBB and other Sarawakian parties were part of Barisan Nasional, but they left to form their own coalition.
Other component parties of GPS are Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Bersatu and PAS.
(2.2) Opposition Parties
The strongest and if not, the largest opposition party is Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) led by their President Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, a former State Finance Minister. Their party has a number of six seats in the State Assembly.
Another party is the United People's Party (UPP) which splintered itself from the SUPP. Then we have Malaya-based parties, particularly in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition which are Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), and Amanah. PH won 10 of the seats in the previous elections. However, this number had reduced by half due to several occassions.
(2.3) Gasak Coalition and Independent Parties
The State Reform Party (STAR) changed their name into the Sarawak People's Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) and are contesting for at least 20 seats. They will be collaborating with Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) and Sarawak Workers' Party (SWP - later changed name into Parti Bangsa Malaysia), Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) and Sarawak Independence Alliance (SIA) in the Gabungan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) coalition for all 82 seats.
Lastly, there is the standalone party which is Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) to contest for 82 seats that is to separate Sarawak from Malaysia through constitutional and international laws means.
(3.0) Predictions and Hopes
The author believes that it is most likely that GPS would win the elections again since 2016. GPS would have to fight against PSB and their allies, most prominently DAP. Regardless who ever wins, the expected or unexpected, the author hopes that further efforts to improve the condition and welfare of the people of Sarawak are continued and improved.
Currently, with Parliament planning to amend article 1 of the Federal Constitution for Sabah and Sarawak reverted as Borneo States, this could be a positive sign of respecting the MA63 and equal partnership rights between the West and Eastern Region of Malaysia.
There will always be setbacks and weaknesses, but progression and consistency is important. Particularly, issues of internet connection, MA63, businesses, education, infrastructure and economic prosperity would flourish in the State. For instances, Kuching is developing the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project, similar to Sabah with their Skytrain.
The project may reduce traffic congestion and increase tourism in Kuching. The population of Kuching and neighbouring area of Samarahan has 711,500 and 102,700 people, so it would make perfect sense to encourage such project as the Kuching-Samarahan expressway is too packed.
The vehicle itself is driverless and is powered through hydrogen fuel cells. Each vehicle can accomodate 300 passengers with a speed of 70kmph. It is being developed by government-owned Sarawak Metro.
This was a project undertaken by Chief Minister Abang Jo and as the State Elections are nearing, politicians are making this a huge issue. If GPS were to suddenly lose grasp on the State, all projects may be distrubed, similar to the HSR project which Pakatan Harapan suddenly terminated after winning the GE-14.
Another point of interest is the Pan-Borneo Highway which is at 71% completion as of 26th September 2021. It was commenced on October 2015 with a cost of RM16.117 billion that has 11 work packages of 786km from Telok Melano to Miri which is expected to complete by the end of 2022.
In the end, all these projects would enhance the social standards of the people, invite more investment, industries, businesses and the development of ports, factories and the sprout of new commercial hubs.
(4.0) References;
Shahrin Aizat Noorshahrizam. (December, 2021) Sarawak state election: A guide to the contesting parties. Retrieved from, https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/03/sarawak-state-election-a-guide-to-the-contesting-parties/2025553
Sharon Ling. (November, 2021) Sarawak state election: Dec 18 is decision day. Retrieved from, https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/25/sarawak-state-election-dec-18-is-decision-day
Bernama (November, 2021) Sarawak election on Dec 18 - EC. Retrieved from, https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/sarawak-election-dec-18-ec
SarawakVoice. (December, 2021) ART project of Sarawak should not be stopped. Retrieved from, https://sarawakvoice.com/2021/06/21/art-project-of-sarawak-should-not-be-stopped/
Clark, J. (November, 2021) Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) Kuching. Retrieved from, https://futuresoutheastasia.com/sarawak-metro/
Conny Banji (September, 2021) Works on Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak set for completion in 2022. Retrieved from, https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/09/26/works-on-pan-borneo-highway-sarawak-set-for-completion-in-2022/
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