By Kyle Ashton
GABUNGAN PARTI SARAWAK’S (GPS) big win during the 12th state election last year shows that it is a trustworthy, stable and reliable party for the rakyat.
And with its emphasis on putting Sarawak First, support for GPS has grown exponentially as the people have benefited significantly under its governance.
By and large it stands in good stead though the Nov 19 general election will be its first as GPS.
We spoke to several academics to get their thoughts.
Prof Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman, Assistant Vice Chancellor in Leadership and Development, UNIMAS
GPS’ governance is one of the most stable in Malaysia. Therefore, it is important that the party get a big win in this GE because they have the advantage in continuing the policy for the good of Sarawak. They have certainly proved themselves at the state level so at the federal level, all they need now is to have a solid voice, a solid representative, and a sufficient number of seats to continue the agenda of good demands for Sarawak.
Therefore, whatever challenges that its component parties may face such as the nomination of certain candidates in certain parliamentary seats, GPS needs to continue to support each other. It must use the parties in Malaya as an example of what may happen if they don’t support and stand together.
We know that GPS is very strong at the moment with all their agendas and plans they have in place for Sarawakians. Therefore, it will be very good that these strengths can thrive all the way to the federal level. When GPS moves as a solid party in both state and federal level, Sarawak will benefit a lot from the outcome that they are fighting for.
Prof. Madya Dr Novel Anak Lyndon, Chairman of Centre for Development, Social and Environment, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UKM
A big win for GPS will certainly help Sarawak in ensuring the implementation of the MA63 agreement in the form of policy and reality rather than in the rhetoric form. If the party were to have a big win during the GE15, it will help Sarawak to get more allocations and powers to develop the state.
From there, it will also help Sarawak to come out with their own development model based on the needs and wishes of Sarawakians and not based on the federal model. Moreover, if they were to win big, it will definitely help GPS to be the kingmaker and they will have a say on any development in Sarawak. At the same time, they can also request an important ministerial post in the new cabinet.
Dr Nur Aida Kipli, Senior Lecturer of Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Sarawak Branch
A victory for GPS will empower the leaders of Sarawak to stand from the viewpoint of the essential and fight for rights under MA63. Claims that have been abandoned for an extended period of time can be argued openly. Intensifying socioeconomic growth in a more robust and deliberate manner is possible, and each race’s concerns will be highlighted.
The GPS will ensure that the people of Sarawak experience equal growth and a constantly rising level of living standards. Furthermore, this would provide the people of Sarawak a chance to push the leaders of the coalition of these local parties to pay greater attention to fighting for an equitable distribution of the quality of living among the people.
Dick Lembang Dugun, Political Analyst, UNIMAS
With GPS’ almost landslide victory in the last state election, I think the sentiments are still strong for GE15. This is because the opposition in Sarawak is weak and in disarray. It is an easy move for GPS if they come out with the right candidate who is acceptable and winnable by the grassroots. For example, for PRS in the Iban majority seat, they must choose the right candidate especially in Sri Aman and Lubok Antu. Otherwise they might lose the battle
Furthermore, GPS parties must support each other to ensure the candidate chosen wins the battle and not backstab one another. As a coalition, they must pool their strength. I believe that GPS can be a kingmaker to form a federal government after GE15 and that will give more negotiation power especially on Sarawak matters such as the implementation of MA63.
