Tough for PAS to wrest first seat in Sarawak, say analysts

Party’s limited grassroots support and GPS’s dominance will make winning its maiden seat, including Beting Maro, challenging.

National Professors Council senior fellow Jeniri Amir said the goal is difficult given that PAS lacks strong grassroots support compared with other local parties.

He noted that the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which leads the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), remains a formidable opponent.

“Even in Beting Maro, where they once offered stiff competition, that was not due to PAS’s strength but the rather weaknesses or internal sabotage within PBB at the time,” he told FMT, referring to PAS reducing the majority to 1,711 votes in the 2021 state election.

“Other factors, such as its still-minimal influence and a struggle that does not align with the values and positions of Sarawak’s multiethnic communities, including the Malays, also play a role.”

Sarawak PAS commissioner Arifiriazul Paijo contested in Beting Maro in 2021, but was defeated by incumbent Razaili Gapor of GPS by a reduced majority.

Yesterday, Arifiriazul said the state chapter plans to contest at least four seats in the upcoming state election, including Beting Maro.

Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah agreed with Jeneri, stressing that GPS’s strong performance under Abang Johari Openg makes it difficult for PAS to expand into the state.

He said PAS also lacks leaders with the kind of appeal seen in Sabah, such as Karambunai assemblyman Aliakbar Gulasan.

“In Sarawak today, people tend to favour local parties, and even Pakatan Harapan will face a tough path. It is not impossible for outcomes similar to Sabah, where PH only won one seat, to occur.

“PAS’s intention to contest in Sarawak is a bold step, but it will be fraught with challenges,” he said.