Sarawak PAS eyes Beting Maro, 3 other seats in upcoming state polls

State commissioner Arifiriazul Paijo says the party is open to collaboration with PBDS and fielding non-Muslim candidates through its supporters' wing.

State commissioner Arifiriazul Paijo said the party has boosted its presence in Beting Maro with a service centre and regular outreach to residents, Dayak Daily reported.

In the 2021 state election, Arifiriazul contested in Beting Maro but was defeated by incumbent Razaili Gapor of GPS by a margin of 1,711 votes.

Arifiriazul added that Sarawak PAS is open to fielding non-Muslim candidates through its supporters’ wing (DHPP), citing the party’s previous candidate, Clement Bayang, who contested the Kakus state seat in 2016.

He also said the party is engaging as many stakeholders as possible and is open to various forms of collaboration with other parties, including Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

“If PBDS wants to cooperate, we are open to discussions. We do not close the door to any parties,” he was quoted as saying after a breaking-of-fast event in Kuching yesterday.

“As long as there is common ground, our principle is simple: if it benefits the people of Sarawak and Sarawak as a whole, we are ready to work together.

“PBDS president Dr John Brian Anthony used to be our good friend, so it could be possible in the future.”

Regarding DAP, Arifiriazul said no talks have occurred due to the current federal political dynamics.

“Politics is very dynamic. We don’t know what will happen. Today they may be against us, but in the future they might be our friend,” he said.

Sarawak PAS currently holds no seats in the state legislative assembly.

In 2021, it contested only Beting Maro and failed to win, amid GPS’s landslide victory of 76 out of 82 seats.

Previously, PAS fielded 11 seats in 2016 and five in 2011, also without success.

The next Sarawak state election is due by February 2027.