Blind party loyalty will be our downfall. We must follow the truth wherever it leads.
– DaShanne Stokes, American scholar of politics, culture, and civil rights.
The battle between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to wrestle support from potential voters in Sarawak in the coming state election can be likened to the James Bond’s movie, ‘Battle Royale’.
In this movie, 42 9th graders are sent to a deserted island. They are given a map, food, and various weapons. An explosive collar is fitted around their neck. If they break a rule, the collar explodes.
Their mission: Kill each other and be the last one standing. The last survivor is allowed to leave the island. If there is more than one survivor, the collars explode and kill them all.
June 27 this year, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that his Bersatu will spread its wings to Sarawak as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s presence in the state, especially given the absence of Barisan Nasional (BN).
Bersatu’s move was expected ever since Pakatan Harapan (PH) emerged victorious in the 14th general election (GE14).
Some quarters argued that the word ‘pribumi’ will be a magnet to attract ‘pribumi’ in Sarawak to join the party. And it also hoped to be seen as relevant and synonymous with the struggle of the ‘pribumi’ community.
Unlike Umno, Bersatu claims to be different in that it is not only focusing on the Malay community alone but other ‘pribumi’ communities as well. However, when the party was first formed in 2016, it was a Malay-based party.
Bersatu leaders argued that it was necessary to break Umno’s strongholds. So, it joined forces with the opposition which had the same objective before GE14, which was to get rid of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Dr Mahathir further argued that the Malays wanted to join Bersatu at the advent of Umno’s collapse since they have no party to represent them.
Bersatu was seen as the only party at the time that can champion their interests. The other parties such Amanah Negara and PKR were seen as multiracial parties and therefore, not representing Malay interests.
In August 2017, Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir defended his party’s Bumiputera-centric position, when its ally, Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) vice-president Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa told Bersatu to do away with its racial focus because of the dangers it posed to the Malay community in the long run.
Dr Mahathir’s reason for adopting Malay-centric position was that the people in rural and unsophisticated urban constituencies still wanted racial politics. He further lamented that it was the reality of the political landscape in Malaysia, despite sophisticated and the highly educated urbanites’ belief that racial politics had run out of its course.
However, it then decided to change its political position from being a Malay-based party to a Malay and Bumiputera party to appeal to a bigger audience and it has remained a Malay and Bumiputera party ever since.
This move was very critical and necessary as the non-Malay support would be vital to the party’s political future, especially if it wished to take part in Sarawak politics. Consequently, it created the limited membership for the non-Malays within the party, even though the party is predominantly Malay.
Malays and Bumiputera can join the party as long as they subscribe to the party’s ideology of being clean, incorruptible and be prepared to dedicate itself to serving the people and the country.
As a component of the ruling government, Bersatu will have an advantage in the coming election while GPS will go all out to defend its seats, especially in the state polls. Although local parties appear to be more popular in Sarawak at the moment, we have to realise that the situation can change in the next year or two.
Bersatu’s local supporters believe that it will be able to attract some of the local people who no longer identify themselves with local-based state parties.
A Bersatu enthusiast said the party’s presence will offer Sarawakians more choices who are keen to be part of the federal government.
I believe that Bersatu will be able to pose a significant threat to GPS in the coming state election, which is scheduled to take place in 2021. In a democratic system, everyone is free to choose any party political to represent his or her interests.
Having said that, I strongly caution Sarawakians to choose their political party wisely. Let’s not go down that road again! It always leads to a disaster.
And as for GPS, it’ll need to raise its game to win the coming election. Remember, there’s a johnny-come-lately who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. A lot is at stake.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
