KUCHING: The political temperature across Bidayuh-majority constituencies in Sarawak remains notably calm and subdued for now, even as talk grows louder that the state election could be called within the year.
A ground check in several Bidayuh belts such as Tasik Biru, Opar, Serembu, Mambong, Tarat and Bukit Semuja shows little of the usual election frenzy that typically surfaces months ahead of polling day.
Party flags are largely absent, ceramah activities remain minimal, and coffee shop conversations continue to revolve more around daily livelihood concerns than political manoeuvring.
Local community leaders describe the current atmosphere as “wait-and-see”, with many voters appearing more focused on ongoing development projects, road upgrades and rural economic initiatives rather than campaign rhetoric.
Unlike previous election cycles where early positioning by parties was more visible, the present scenario reflects a quieter political rhythm, suggesting that both incumbents and challengers are holding their cards close to their chests.
Observers note that the dominance of established political alliances in these constituencies may also contribute to the relaxed mood.
With no major shake-ups or high-profile defections emerging so far, the electorate appears to be adopting a pragmatic stance, preferring to assess performance record may be closer to nomination day rather than reacting to speculation.
Nevertheless, political observers caution that the calm could shift rapidly once an official election date is announced.
Historically, the Bidayuh-majority seats have witnessed swift mobilisation once campaign machinery is activated, transforming tranquil towns into vibrant centres of political engagement almost overnight.
For now, however, the prevailing sentiment on the ground is one of measured patience.
While rumours of an impending state poll continue to circulate in political circles and social media, the everyday pace of life in these constituencies suggests that, at least for the moment, election fever has yet to take hold in any significant way.
The incumbents of the eight dominant Bidayuh seats, including Tebedu and Kedup are all in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
While the 2021 results suggest they are “safe” seats, they are generally considered strong, solid bases for the ruling coalition (GPS) rather than just competitive seats that could easily flip.
