Extreme political narratives cannot survive polls, says PBB Info chief

Abdul Karim speaking to the reporters after the Sarawak Heritage Council Meeting No. 1/2026 press conference at Hilton Hotel on June 11, 2026.

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, June 11: Political parties that adopt extreme or divisive political outlooks will not be able to survive in elections, says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said over the years, Sarawak’s political landscape has shown that voters ultimately reject extreme approaches.

“If there are parties that try to take an extreme outlook in approaching the election, there is no way they can survive politically,” he told reporters after the Sarawak Heritage Council Meeting No. 1/2026 press conference at Hilton Hotel today.

He was responding to a reporter’s query on certain quarters who are trying to revive the narrative that the Dayak community needs a Dayak-based party to fight for their rights.

Abdul Karim further said Malaysia’s political landscape has long been shaped by parties with ethnic-based foundations, both in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

He said parties such as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) were formed based on community representation, although many now operate in a more multiracial political environment.

He stressed that Sarawak’s stability is built on cooperation among different communities, rather than exclusivity.

“We have seen through the years, in Sarawak, where anyone who goes along a very strong racial bearing will not be able to succeed, because it creates fear to the other ethnic groups,” he said.

Abdul Karim further said Sarawak’s political strength lies in balance and inclusivity among Malays, Melanau, Dayak and Chinese communities.

He added that even Bumiputera-based parties must continue working closely with other communities, including the Chinese community, to maintain harmony and stability in the State.

“PBB can form the government on its own, you know, but we want to be together with a Chinese party like SUPP because Sarawak belongs to all of us. That is how we have been groomed. We might come from a party that is seen as racist, but in reality, we are not,” he added.

He said GPS continues to uphold this multiracial cooperation model and rejects any political narrative that promotes division or extremism. — DayakDaily