PENINSULA STATE ELECTIONS
KUCHING: It is not necessary for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to support its fellow coalition members in the federal unity government during the campaign in six state elections in Peninsular Malaysia.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) political scientist Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan said all the four component parties under GPS, will not be able to add value to the election campaigns in Peninsular Malaysia.
“People and voters probably do not know well about the GPS leaders from Sarawak, thus, they (voters) do not really mind whether GPS will join or support other coalition members in the unity government or not,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted today (June 28).
“Same goes to DAP leaders from Sarawak, what can they say (convince) the voters in states such as Kelantan and Terengganu?
“If they can add value or help to pull votes; then they should go,” he added.
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung opined that GPS and even Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) should not be involved with the campaign in the six state elections in West Malaysia.
DAP, he said, is a Malaya-based political party, thus, their leaders and members in Sarawak cannot “just sit there and do nothing”.
“Of course they need to help to pull votes for their leaders in West Malaysia; this (state elections) could also be an opportunity or serves as a training ground for some of the youth members,” he said.
He was commenting on Sarawak DAP vice chairman Oscar Ling who recently said that the party will be assisting its coalition members in the federal unity government in the upcoming state elections in West Malaysia.
Ling, who is also Sibu MP said GPS should also come and support those in the federal unity government.
However, Lee said the unity government was formed based on the political patchwork, not the people’s choice; it was based on political practicality due to a hung parliament after the 15th General Election (GE15) where no single party had a simple majority to form the government.
Thus, there is no need for GPS to support other coalitions in the unity government, who will be contesting in the six state elections in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The current politics over there (West Malaysia) is already complicated enough thus I do not think GPS should jump into the boiling pot to be cooked; bickering not only between Pakatan Harapan with Barisan Nasional leaders but within the party also.
For instances, he said, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had recently said that the party will not field its former publicity secretary, Tony Pua in the upcoming state polls.
Apart from that, MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker who had urged Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Adam to cease his attacks on allies in Barisan Nasional, saying he sounded like a mouthpiece for DAP instead – is another incident making things more complicated.
“So, I think GPS should really stay away from all these; avoid being trapped or involved with all the conflicts among political parties in Peninsular Malaysia.
Anyone who wishes to do so (help to campaign) can do it on individual capacity, not party or GPS coalition,” he said.
Political analyst Professor Dr Novel Lyndon also shared the same sentiment. He concurred that it is not necessary for GPS to get involved as the contest is actually between PH and BN against Perikatan Nasional (PN).
He pointed out that DAP is a national party; whereas GPS is regional-based.
“The question is if GPS helps to campaign; what issues to talk about and who are their targets?
“The issue in Sarawak is not the sand as in Peninsular Malaysia. Perhaps GPS MPS who are members of the cabinet can be involved in delivering government policies,” he added.
