KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready for Undi18 and has implemented many youth programmes and initiatives.
Freelance political analyst Dr Saudi Narani said this when refuting opposition parties’ claims that GPS was afraid of Undi18 voters and that the ruling coalition was thus rushing to hold the state election.
“Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh’s claim that Undi18 is not advantageous to GPS and hence, the haste to avoid the so-called unpredictable bloc of voters is entirely irrelevant.
“GPS has always been ready for Undi18. It was well-prepared even at the time that Wong was with the coalition for decades,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Nov 10).
Saudi said the state government had always prioritised youth issues, even giving them opportunities to exercise their democratic right.
“When the Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in July 2019, a great majority of above two-thirds (211 out of 222) supported the Bill to amend Article 119 of the Federal Constitution to enable the voting age to be lowered from 21 to 18. I believe GPS representatives voted for this positive move.
“GPS is always ready for what it has agreed to in the august House,” he said.
Saudi explained that while GPS was always been ready to accept Undi18, it was not within its means as there were some technical aspects which had to be dealt with by the relevant election authority and sorted out before the amended provision could be implemented.
Saudi also pointed out that the youth were very close to the GPS government and the state government had provided much assistance to the youth here.
He said the youth were involved in Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas), Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas), Youth Parliament of Malaysia, and others.
“What has PSB done for the well-being of the youth in Sarawak until today? Sarawak youth are not blind; they are mature when dealing with the latest scenarios because they are properly guided in their respective entities,” he said.
He said Sarawak youth had been active under the sponsorship of the state government in many welfare activities.
“To name a few –- Sarawak Volunteers, Food Box, Inisiatif Kebajikan Anak Sarawak (i-KAS), Inisiatif Graduan Pulang Sarawak (i-GPS), Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak and a lot more,” he said.
He also mentioned the plentiful assistance, sponsorships, scholarships, grants, and so on provided to youth at the local universities, colleges and even in remote villages.
Saudi emphasised that the happenings among youth and youth organisations in Sarawak were clear and evident.
“Given the chance to vote, they will know where the credit is deserved most. The big majority will favour GPS, definitely,” he said.
