KUCHING: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is poised to have more bargaining power in seat allocations, especially in areas previously held by the now-dissolved Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
Council of Professors fellow Datuk Jeniri Amir said this is due to SUPP’s electoral success in the 2021 state polls, securing 13 out of 18 contested seats and solidifying its position as the second-largest party within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“SUPP won many seats in the last election. It was a great improvement from the previous election. I think SUPP has the upper hand,” he told FMT.
The political analyst believed that SUPP is determined to protect its traditional seats including Bawang Assan, currently represented by former PSB President Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
“Going back to history, these seats traditionally belong to SUPP and they will not easily give them up to (former PSB members),” he said.
Jeniri also said GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is likely to prioritise SUPP’s requests due to their longstanding alliance, contrasting this with the former PSB members who have now joined PDP.
On Wednesday, Abang Johari said the discussions regarding seat allocations will take place at an appropriate time, downplaying concerns of internal strife following the dissolution of PSB and its leaders’ integration into the PDP.
“We will discuss it at the next (state) election. It’s definitely not this year,” he told reporters during his Hari Raya open house event.
Abang Johari said only two seats – Bawang Assan and Engkilili – would be under dispute since Ba’Kelalan is traditionally contested by PDP.
However, Prof James Chin of the University of Tasmania said the two disputed seats could go to PDP.
“The golden rule in GPS is that the incumbent keeps the seat,” he said, adding that there would be potential conflict if the seats were allocated to SUPP, where PDP members might choose to back an independent candidate.
