KUCHING: The chances of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) retaining all eight predominantly Bidayuh seats in the next state elections are high but it’s not going to be “a walk in the park”.
Veteran Bidayuh politician and observer Datuk Peter Minos said GPS had the advantage but there are other factors that need to be seriously looked at too.
According to him, GPS has the distinct advantage of being Sarawak-based with Sarawak leaders, the very thing that Sarawakians greatly value and truly want.
“In fact, more and more Sarawakians are saying that no matter what and regardless of local differences and disputes among Sarawakians, GPS must win to defend the state’s rights especially on immigration, land and other resources and their way of life and cultures,” he said.
“Sarawakians are also not happy that their oil and gas resources have been almost 100 per cent taken by Putrajaya and Petronas.”
Given this scenario, Minos agreed with Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin that with the right candidates, good planning and hard work, GPS could win all the Bidayuh-majority seats.
The eight Bidayuh-majority seats are Tasik Biru, Opar, Serembu, Mambong, Tarat, Kedup, Tebedu and Bukit Semuja.
However, he cautioned that the next state election to be held in 2021 or earlier would no doubt be comparatively tougher and harder than the previous one.
For one thing, GPS would be facing a very tough opponent in Pakatan Harapan (PH) led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with all their advantages in terms of logistics and funding being the federal government of the day, he said.
“This is in addition to the many spinners, seasoned campaigners and cyber-troopers out there to attack GPS. So, it will not be a walk in the park for GPS, not at all. GPS must know this and I’m sure they do,” he said.
Minos thinks that there is a real widespread feeling that Sarawak had always been at the losing end and that something positive should be done fast or else it would lose more.
Thus, the possibility of the state being ruled by PH rule is worrisome to the GPS and Sarawakians in general.
“It (being ruled by PH) must not happen,” said Minos.
“Sarawakians feel better and safer under GPS and state leaders like our likeable Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Do not ask me why. It’s in the minds of Sarawakians. It’s a mental thing, but it exists and it’s natural — real and genuine,” he said.
Minos expressed confidence that the majority of Bidayuhs feel that it would be better to be led by fellow Sarawakians instead of “outsiders”, which Malayans are.
The Bidayuhs, he said, would be bombarded with many issues by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak (PKR) in particular but they would not waver in their love for the state.
“Never forget ‘tanah asar toh’ (homeland) and do not let outsiders ‘rampas’ (snatch) it, as many Bidayuhs put it,” he said.
