During a political campaign everyone is concerned with what a candidate will do on this or that question if he is elected except the candidate; he’s too busy wondering what he’ll do if he isn’t elected.
– Everett Dirksen, American politician
When Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sought Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders’ help for the federal ruling coalition’s campaigns in the upcoming state elections of Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan, it must have been a surprise to many of us.
A surprise because never before had any leader of the federal ruling government in the past ever openly appealed to Sarawak leaders for assistance in election campaigns in Malaya.
Ahmad Zahid must have realised and recognised the unique qualities of Sarawak leaders to see it fit and appropriate to seek our help.
On July 2, while attending a Gawai Dayak event in Sri Aman, the Deputy Prime Minister said he wanted the Sarawak model and agenda of political stability, and effective solutions to the people’s problem, to be explained to Malayans; well, who else better than Sarawak leaders to handle this?
“I am confident the experience of the state elections in Sarawak would be useful to us to adopt in the six states. The leadership of GPS in treating all parties well in Sarawak should be adopted in the peninsula.
“Don’t play up differences, including religious issues, which could result in slander and cause uneasiness among people,” Ahmad Zahid said.
He said the BN election machinery could learn a thing or two from Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg about preserving political stability.
Unlike leaders in Sarawak, those in Malaya tend to play up religious and racial issues in their campaigns, which can turn toxic and incendiary, stirring up voters’ emotions.
While opposition candidates are often accused of resorting to sensitive issues to win over votes, those from the ruling coalitions are equally guilty too.
On Saturday (July 15), following consultation with his coalition partners, Abang Johari announced GPS’ involvement in the campaigns – but only its ministers and deputy ministers in the federal cabinet will assist in the campaigns.
The decision is appropriate because GPS, being a component of the federal unity government, should give its support to Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN. And as Abang Johari emphasised, what is important is to have a stable and strong government. Sarawak will highlight the ‘Perpaduan Demi Kestabilan Dan Kemakmuran (Unity for Peace and Prosperity)’ theme. “What is important is we are giving top priority to unity and a stable government. That is all.”
The Premier, however, will not be sending the GPS election machinery to the six states as the coalition is not very familiar with the issues there. A wise decision indeed as we do not wish to be drawn into their political intrigue.
Nevertheless, GPS through its ministers and deputy minister in the federal cabinet
could take the opportunity to promote Sarawak’s style of politics to Malayans in the six states.
The ministers are: Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Deputy Prime Minister and Plantation and Commodities Minister); Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (Works), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Tourism, Arts and Culture), Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (Women, Family and Community Development); and Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (National Unity).
And the deputies are: Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib (Prime Minister’s Department – Economy); Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Prime Minister’s Department – Sabah and Sarawak Affairs); Datuk Rubiah Wang (Rural and Regional Development); Datuk Hasbi Habibollah (Transport); Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change); and Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Health).
Fadillah was initially quoted by the media as saying that GPS ministers and deputy ministers’ involvement in the campaign would be limited to ministry-related activities and government policies. But with the GPS supreme council’s giving its blessings, the 11 ministers and deputy ministers could explain our non-confrontational politics to the Malayan states and explain how Sarawak with its many races and ethnic groups could live side by side harmoniously and peacefully.
Explain to them how family members of different religious backgrounds live harmoniously under the same roof. Most Malayans may not know about this; it might sound alien to them. So, highlight this.
Of course certain quarters argue that GPS should stay out of the campaigns as its presence in the six states will have no effect.
Political scientist Prof Datuk Jayum Jawan, as reported by a local paper, said “instead of garnering more support, the prospect of a lukewarm response will only put GPS to shame”.
“No need. GPS is a territorial party – it is a great and strong party in Sarawak, not in the peninsula.
“Many GPS leaders are not known by the people in the peninsula, and their appearance will have no real impact there. Later if they don’t get a good response, it will only shame GPS’ …,” he said.
Well, Prof, no worries. The GPS leaders who will be involved are those already serving in Malaya. The people are familiar with the 11 ministers and deputy ministers from Sarawak.
A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president had earlier also said GPS should stay out.
His argument was that GPS had never directly involved in election campaigns outside Sarawak.
“Even before the establishment of GPS, our state leadership has never been directly involved in election campaign activities in the peninsula,” he said.
Anyway, Abang Johari has announced that no other Sarawak leaders other than those in the federal cabinet will be involved.
Even the Premier will not be campaigning as he will be busy with his state duties. He and the several leaders will be occupied with the state’s 60th anniversary of Independence. Their priority is ‘Sarawak First’.
All the best to our campaigning team in Malaya.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
