By LIan Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 21: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready for the 15th General Election (GE15) amidst rumours that it may be called in March or July 2022.
Immediately after the Sarawak Election which polled on Dec 18, 2021, there have been rumours that GE15 will follow suit as the Melaka state election result and GPS’ big win were both seen as barometers for the general election.
During the Melaka state election, BN managed to firmly secure the Melaka Legislative Assembly by winning 21 seats out of the total 28 seats. This was a tremendous achievement as compared to its 12 seats before.
In comparison, opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan’s seats was greatly reduced from its previous 11 to only five after the snap election.
For Sarawak, GPS further strengthened its position in the just concluded 12th Sarawak Election by not only defending all its previous 72 seats but wrestled back four more, resulting in its tight grip of 76 seats out of the total 82.
The good results of both Melaka and Sarawak have given rise to speculation that GE15 may be called in March, or July of this year, after the flood issues in Peninsular Malaysia are settled, since the Parliament will expire next year.
On the rumours, one of the GPS leaders, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said GPS is ever ready for the coming general election.
“As far as Sarawak is concerned, GPS is ever ready as we just went through the State Election and our election machinery can just be reactivated,” Abdul Karim told DayakDaily.
On whether GPS’ resounding victory in the just concluded Sarawak Election could be used as a barometer to predict the support for the ruling parties in general, Abdul Karim did not give a direct response.
“What barometer PM (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) is going to use for calling the GE15 is his prerogative. If he feels that the timing is right, he can just call for the dissolution of Parliament,” said Abdul Karim who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister as well as Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Minister.
Meanwhile, when Dr Gabriel Walter of Parti Kuasa Rakyat (Kuasa) was contacted, he speculated it would be unlikely that GE15 would be called in March or even July this year.
One of the reasons put forth by Gabriel was that, Barisan Nasional (BN) is in a good position presently and there was no reason for it to rush.
“There are people in UMNO who may want to call for an election but there are also those who choose to be in the status quo as UMNO is now in a good position. UMNO has taken over the Federal government for now, why rush for another election where nobody can be certain about its outcome if it were to be held?
“Furthermore, Pakatan Harapan is also not ready for the general election as people’s sentiments against it are still there. I do not think GE15 will be called so soon,” said Gabriel. — DayakDaily
