Neighbours keep close watch on Sarawak polls

Luke Rintod

Unlike in the past, Sabahans are watching the Sarawak polls with keen interest, as the outcome may have bearing on their own state polls.

KOTA KINABALU: As the Sarawak state election gets underway, Sabahans, unlike before, are following closely what is going on across the border.


Many Sabahans see the Sarawak state polls this time as a barometer of sorts which will have an impact on Sabah. The fate of Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud is also a focal point of interest.

Local opposition party Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council member Peter Marajin said the Sarawak election is interesting as it will have a bearing on Sabah’s own state election.

“We shall see how peninsula-based parties particularly PKR treat local-based parties and the Borneo territories. We will see from this election how far the mindset of our Borneon people has changed towards the all-conquering and condescending peninsular Malaysians,” he told FMT.

Marajin said the election will show if PKR or Umno’s dominance is accepted by the people or if the government-controlled media have effectively indoctrinated and brainwashed the people.

“We may also learn from here whether corruption and cheating in the election are so rampant that people are powerless to ward off this evil.

“How far we have grown in our political maturity to be able to discern good governance which respects our rights as citizens…?” he asked.

Political observer Dr Anthony Tibok agreed that interest in the Sarawak election among Sabahans is evident, but there is a lack of in-depth news on the matter.

“I am among those who are interested to know how PKR behaved in the negotiation for seats,” he said of the failed PKR-SNAP negotiation.

A local political analyst, who only wanted to be known as Jimmy, also agreed that the Sarawak state election will have a bearing on the mindset of Sabahans when they face their own election, which may be called together with the 13th general election.

“It is interesting to see how Sarawakians see and perceive Taib’s way of governing the large state after more than 30 years in power. There are so many allegations about Taib’s personal life including his assets which are said to be in the billions, not counting his children’s assets.

“We will also like to see how state-based opposition parties like SNAP and the Peninsula-based parties PKR and DAP fare in this election.

“Sabah-based opposition parties like SAPP, too, I believe, will take the cue from what is hapenning in Sarawak,” he said.