Sarawak opposition must develop new narratives, says analyst

Dick Lembang Dugun says new narratives are needed to ensure the opposition can provide checks and balances.

Dick Lembang Dugun of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg was at the top of his game, and that any party outside the state’s ruling coalition would find it difficult to market itself as a credible alternative.

He also said that the opposition in Sarawak was in no position to talk about administering the state, given its lack of experience.

“But a state still needs checks and balances to ensure a healthy democracy.

“The opposition here must come up with a narrative to guarantee that it can play an effective role in providing checks and balances,” he told FMT.

Dugun was commenting on Abang Johari’s declaration that GPS would field candidates for every seat in the next state election.

The Sarawak state assembly approved a motion last year to increase the number of seats from 82 to 99, although Abang Johari was uncertain whether the 17 proposed new seats would be included in time.

Dugun’s comments on the need for checks and balances were in line with the stance of DAP’s Dr Kelvin Yii.

The Bandar Kuching MP recently said that having no opposition was not in Sarawak’s interests and warned against returning to the “days when the state government had unfettered powers without any proper accountability”.

James Chin of University of Tasmania said GPS’s decision to contest every seat in the impending state polls was unsurprising.

The ruling coalition was expected to make a clean sweep, he said.

“It is impossible that they will negotiate (seats with others). The question now is whether the additional 17 seats will be included.”

The state assembly’s term expires in February next year, unless it is dissolved earlier, and elections must be held within 60 days of dissolution, or by April next year at the latest.

In the current 82-member state assembly, GPS holds 79 seats through PBB (47), Sarawak United Peoples Party (13), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (11), and Progressive Democratic Party (eight), and has the support of an independent member. The opposition comprises DAP (two seats), representing Pakatan Harapan.