KUCHING: The suggestion to transform Sarawak DAP into a wholly locally-based party is worth considering since they no longer can fulfil their role as an effective opposition in the state.
Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Larry Sng believed that this could materialise with the blessing from DAP national leaders.
DAP, he said, has established a strong presence and branding in Chinese-majority urban areas in Sarawak, therefore, their influence and support base are unlikely to be weakened even if they become a local party.
“Currently, DAP Sarawak is neither able to work as effectively as an opposition party as before because of their tie-up with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the federal government; nor were they rewarded equitably despite winning five parliamentary seats in 2022 due to strong objection from a component block within Unity Government.
“This political quagmire is unlikely to change for the next foreseeable 10 years. If they agree to transform (into a local party), they will have higher chances to be represented in Cabinet and they can be more vocal in their opinions,” he said.
Sng, who is also Julau Member of Parliament (MP) said by transforming into a local party, it will strengthen their base and possibly expand their influence into other seats.
Furthermore, he said, they can focus better on Sarawak’s issues since their involvement or influence in West Malaysian politics has always been quite limited.
“It will also give them the flexibility to reposition themselves in Sarawak in future, since there is no permanent enemy in politics,” he said.
Numerically, Sng said, this may be seen as a setback for DAP but ultimately it may also be in their political interest, since it will be easier for them to form a government with GPS in the next general election.
Former Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh has suggested that all DAP leaders and elected representatives resign from their positions in the federal and Sarawak administrations if they wish to fulfil their roles as an effective opposition in the state.
He questioned how one could accept a position in the government while being critical of the same administration at the same time, referring to Sarawak DAP, which is part of the Unity Government at the federal level but an opposition party in Sarawak.
The Bawang Assan assemblyman, who dissolved his party and joined Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) recently, described such a situation as ‘playing double standards’ and contrary to the aspirations of the people in Sarawak, who wanted a genuine and sincere opposition.
