By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Dec 8: A political analyst has criticised the disunity among the Opposition parties, who to him is missing an opportune time to unseat the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government in the 12th Sarawak Election which will go to the polls on Dec 18.
Political scientist Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia said not only did the Opposition not strategise properly to face this election as a team, there are even bickering among themselves.
“Unfortunately the Opposition are not strategising well. This is the best time to try to wrestle power from GPS. They are bickering and cannot find common ground to contest as one force.
“That will cost them the election although some of them may win a few seats here and there but they won’t win enough to take over the government from the previous ruling party or coalition,” said Jayum.
He believed that Sarawakian politicians are now jumping into the fray in droves after being inspired by the new political norm after 14th General Election.
“This PRN (Sarawak Election) is the best time to try one’s luck. The situation is fluid following the new political norm after GE 2018,” Jayum told DayakDaily when asked of the reasons leading to the record high number of candidates.
A record high number of 349 candidates have registered themselves to vie for 82 seats in the 12th Sarawak Election.
Among the 82 seats, Dudong, a semi-urban seat in Sibu recorded an eight-cornered fight while on average, there are four candidates vying for each constituency.
But for Dr Jayum, there is more to what these politicians are doing than meets the eye.
To him, there are politicians who were “planted” in certain seats to gain bargaining power after the election.
“I won’t dismiss that some are ‘planted’ as Sarawak politicians are known for backstabbing each other in their attempt to leverage on their position after the election,” said Dr Jayum. — DayakDaily
