KUCHING: Sarawak Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is gearing up for the upcoming Sarawak State Election, with Beting Maro continuing to be a key constituency for the party.
Commissioner of PAS Sarawak, Mohammad Arifiriazul Paijo, confirmed that the party has identified at least four seats, with the number expected to rise as preparations continue.
Beting Maro remains a priority due to PAS’ long history in the area, having contested it since its entry into Sarawak politics in 2001.
“Since we first contested in Sarawak, Beting Maro has always been one of our seats. We have never failed to contest here, including the last state election in 2021,” he said during a breaking-of-fast event with media representatives and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a local hotel here on Friday (March 6).
Although PAS has not yet won the seat, the party’s performance in the 2021 election was significant, with the incumbent’s majority reduced to just over 1,000 votes and PAS maintaining approximately 35 per cent of the vote share.
“Based on our track record and core supporters, a slight swing in votes could bring victory this time, insya-Allah,” he said, adding that the party has strengthened its presence in the constituency through a community service centre that assists residents with medical aid and funeral support.
Asked whether PAS Sarawak is inspired by PAS’ recent success in Sabah, he said he has confidence that it can happen in Sarawak.
“Definitely. Because we are on the same island, the demographic and the people’s perception of PAS are more or less the same in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Our experiences in Sabah give us confidence to strengthen our presence here.”
He confirmed that PAS Sarawak sent party machinery to Sabah in advance of the election and contributed actively in areas like Petagas in Putatan, even if not in all districts.
Regarding the inclusion of non-Muslim candidates, he said this is still part of the plan.
PAS’ wing for non-Muslim supporters, Dewan Himpunan Pendokong PAS (DHPP), has over 1,000 members in Sarawak.
The total PAS membership in the state is estimated at 8,000 to 10,000, spread across 11 branches, including Petra Jaya, Santubong, Kota Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Batang Lupar, Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu, Sibuti, Miri, and Limbang.
“The structure is based on parliamentary constituencies. The division with the most branches is Batang Lupar, where Beting Maro is located, and it also has the highest number of PAS members,” he added.
On the question of unseating the incumbent in Beting Maro, Arifiriazul said it is a 50-50 chance, but added that with the right strategy and engagement, including focusing on young voters and women, PAS sees a real opportunity to challenge the incumbent.
“Our branch committees are mostly young voters and mostly women voters, who are the most effective machinery in elections. We also have programmes to engage young voters directly,” he said.
Arifiriazul emphasised that PAS Sarawak is open to collaboration with any party as long as there is common ground that benefits the people of Sarawak, whether for specific objectives or long-term cooperation.
The decision on candidates for each seat will be finalised by the central committee after proposals are reviewed from branch and state levels.
With these plans in place, PAS Sarawak is preparing for a strong showing in the upcoming state election, maintaining Beting Maro as a strategic focus while expanding its efforts across multiple constituencies.
Meanwhile, on PAS Sarawak relationship with BERSATU Sarawak, despite perceptions of quietness between the parties, Arifiriazul said the quiet part is not something new.
“We PAS did moved around a lot in Sarawak. The correct question is the relationship between me and Jaziri (former Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Sarawak chairman, Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian).
“We still have a good relationship. Even before the turmoil, there were a few meetings between us,” he said.
He added that Jaziri and him had previously discussed collaborative efforts, including plans for a Perikatan Nasional (PN) meeting, but the dismissal of Jaziri from the PN Sarawak chairmanship has impacted coordination.
“It’s up to the PN chairman (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also Terengganu Menteri Besar) to decide if he wants PAS to lead PN in Sarawak, therefore at the moment, there’s no replacement yet,” he said.
Regarding tensions at the federal level affecting Sarawak, he said since the one who is in charge, Jaziri, has stepped down from his position as the chairman of Sarawak PN, it definitely has an effect besides internal disputes within BERSATU.
