By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 13: The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) remains Sarawak’s main breeding ground for election candidates, with its members expected to contest in the upcoming Sarawak Election (PRN).
Its president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was an “open secret”, noting that past general and State elections consistently showed Saberkas producing the highest number of candidates.
“If the media were to do a ‘forensic investigation’, you will find that the highest number of candidates always come from Saberkas,” he told reporters during a press conference yesterday (Feb 12). An audio recording of the press conference was later shared with DayakDaily.
Abdul Karim, who also serves as Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, said the trend reflects the ruling government’s confidence in the leadership training and multiracial exposure nurtured within the youth movement.
“We mould leaders here — Malay, Chinese and Dayak — and we want those values and outlook to be carried forward when they are elected as YBs (elected representatives),” he said.
Asked whether Saberkas members would be fielded in the coming PRN, Abdul Karim gave a firm confirmation.
“That one definitely yes,” he said.
He added that in the last State election, Saberkas produced the largest group of candidates.
“If I am not mistaken, 11 candidates came from Saberkas,” he said.
Founded in 1973, Saberkas serves as a platform for nurturing young leaders across Sarawak, operating as a non-partisan body focused on development, volunteerism and youth empowerment.
As of Jan 31, 2026, Saberkas has a membership of 56,750. — DayakDaily
