By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 14: The responsibility for ensuring checks and balances in Sarawak’s democratic system rests with voters, who have the power to determine their elected representatives, rather than political parties being expected to make way for the opposition.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which is contesting all 82 State seats, naturally aims to win every seat, in line with the objectives of any political party participating in an election.
He said opposition parties, meanwhile, must convince voters that they are capable of offering an alternative and carrying out the role of checks and balances if given the mandate.
“When GPS contests all 82 seats, naturally its objective is to win all of them. The responsibility of other political parties is to convince voters that they are capable of carrying out the checks and balances function,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of a clinic in Kuching today.
Asfia said voters ultimately held the power to decide which candidates would represent them, while political parties had to present their respective offers and demonstrate their ability to serve the people.
He also pointed out that young professionals within GPS could play a role in providing checks and balances from within the coalition, particularly by voicing their views when aspects of the administration required improvement.
“Such views and constructive criticism were important to ensure Sarawak’s development direction continued to take into account economic performance, the cost of living and the people’s standard of living,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
