DAPSY Sarawak expects GPS to retain power in next election, but vows to be ‘second voice’ of the people

George Lam

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Jan 19: Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak expects Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to continue forming the State government after the next State election but says the opposition will remain committed to be the ‘second voice’ of the people to ensure diverse voices are represented in the Sarawak State Assembly.

In a press statement today, DAPSY Sarawak Secretary George Lam said Sarawak’s political stability is unlikely to be shaken, given GPS’ entrenched grassroots strength, particularly in rural and interior constituencies.

“GPS possesses a relatively strong grassroots network across Sarawak. Given Sarawak’s vast geographical size, low population density, and the higher proportion of indigenous voters, electoral competition in interior constituencies is generally limited. Even where stronger challenges emerge, GPS often prevails due to its resource advantages and entrenched grassroots machinery. Its position in the interior regions remains difficult to dislodge in the short term,” he said.

However, Lam asserted that DAP Sarawak will continue to position itself as a responsible opposition, acting as a bridge between the people and the State government, particularly on issues affecting livelihoods and public aspirations.

He pointed out that Sarawak’s State Assembly risks losing meaningful diversity of voices if opposition representation continues to shrink. He referred to the last State election, in which GPS secured 76 of the 82 seats, resulting in what he described as an “overwhelming imbalance” between the ruling bloc and the opposition.

“Under such political realities, I believe urban voters are increasingly reminded that without sufficient support for the opposition, Sarawak’s State Assembly risks losing meaningful diversity of voices. The channels for public expression may diminish, and genuine public sentiment could be overlooked,” Lam highlighted.

He also cited remarks made last year by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who said the party plans to contest 15 seats under the current 82-seat configuration, or 18 seats should the Assembly expand to 99 seats. The move, Lam said, reflects DAP’s commitment to fulfilling its role in providing oversight and checks and balances in the legislature.

“Sarawak today does not lack large-scale development projects. What it lacks is a genuine second voice that truly represents the people. As major projects continue to be rolled out, Sarawakians need more elected representatives in the State Assembly to scrutinise policy implementation. Where policies are unjust or deviate from public interest, the opposition must act as a check on the government, strengthen democratic practices in the Assembly, and safeguard the people’s legitimate interests,” he said.

He further stressed that DAP Sarawak is not entering the next state election with the aim of forming the government but to contest from the people’s perspective.

“Instead, we stand firmly alongside the people of Sarawak and contest the election from the people’s perspective. Our mission is to ensure that public voices are heard and that more genuine representatives of the people enter the State Assembly to speak up on their behalf.

“A second voice for the people is not meant to undermine stability. It exists to allow the people to speak, to offer constructive suggestions, and to work together with the government in building a more just and better Sarawak.” – DayakDaily