KUCHING: Experienced and well-known leaders are needed if the local opposition parties were to mount a serious challenge in Malay-Muslim majority seats in Sarawak, said Associate Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi.
The socio-political analyst was alluding to how the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is strong and firm in holding its seats.
“Any newly established party must have experienced, popular, and well-known leaders. A large budget in its establishment is also needed aside from that,” he said.
Awang Azman added that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government also has strong support.
Having said that, he noted that check and balance is crucial to ensure the administration under GPS maintains high level of integrity.
“GPS is strong especially in Bumiputera Muslim areas. This makes it difficult for the opposition to penetrate the Malay areas.
He also noted that there was internal crisis within the political parties such as Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
“This will surely affect their chances in the upcoming state election,” he said.
