KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is widely expected to continue its dominance in Sarawak’s political landscape.
Analysts point to its strong grassroots machinery, cohesive leadership structure, and consistent development narrative as key factors sustaining its influence across the state.
Political analyst, Dick Lembang Dugun, observed that GPS not only has successfully positioned itself as a stable regional coalition that resonates well with Sarawak voters, who prioritise political stability and local autonomy over national political turbulence, but had also become more vibrant in Sarawak politics under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership.
He noted that the tangible development seen by Sarawakians under the Premier’s leadership, especially in terms of infrastructure like building road connectivity between rural and urban areas, is one of the key factors that would drive the continued dominance of the coalition.
“I think most rural areas in Sarawak are now accessible by road,” he said when asked for his views on GPS’ performance ahead of the coming state election
Lembang, a lecturer of politics and government programmes at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UNIMAS, said the Premier’s emphasis on digital economy and green technology are also seen as a catalyst in driving the region towards a dynamic transformation in the future.
He observed that by transforming Sarawak’s economy from traditional resources to a high-income, sustainable model driven by digital technology and green energy under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), Sarawak’s economy shows bright prospects under Abang Johari’s leadership.
“The modern economy that is being implemented in Sarawak will give positive impact which will eventually bring benefits to Sarawakians.
“In addition to that, the GPS government led by Abang Johari had also introduced several kinds of financial assistance for Sarawakians, which I believe will also contribute to the coalition’s dominance in Sarawak politics,” he said.
He, however, said the GPS government needs to put more effort to expedite all the treated water supply projects to ensure the rural areas have access to treated water.
Lembang observed that lack of credible opposition pacts or parties in Sarawak will also contribute to GPS dominance in the coming state poll.
He explained that a healthy democracy needs a credible opposition which is ready to criticise the government constructively, as conversely if a powerful administration continues to rule the region or country for many years, it will weaken the principles of democracy.
“We need a credible opposition not only to do the check and balance, but also for democracy to flourish in the country,” he said.
