KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready to face the next state election, but its leaders are taking nothing for granted as political sentiment can shift even at the eleventh hour.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the coalition’s readiness stemmed from its representatives being consistently present on the ground, rather than only engaging with the people when an election was approaching.
He stressed that while GPS component parties maintained their respective identities, they would contest the election collectively under the coalition’s banner.
“We are not seasonal politicians. We are on the ground most of the time, attending programmes, carrying out activities and responding whenever issues arise.
“So when we talk about the election, we believe we are always prepared,” he told reporters here today (Aug 25).
Despite expectations that GPS could enter the election from a position of strength, Henry, who is also Tasik Biru assemblyman, cautioned against assuming that the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
He said every election required elected representatives to return to the people for a fresh mandate, while the nature of politics meant circumstances could change quickly.
“Every five years, we have to go back to the voters and allow them to decide.
“Politics is dynamic. You may have four or five years of stability, but something can always emerge. Even at the eleventh hour, the situation can change,” he said.
Henry said issues could also be raised at the last minute to shape public sentiment or influence how voters viewed the government and individual candidates.
“If there are no issues against the government, sometimes it becomes personal. That is the nature of politics.
“This is why voters have to be wise in assessing what is put before them when the time comes to make their decision,” he said.
At the same time, Henry stressed that the unpredictability of an election meant GPS could not afford to become complacent regardless of expectations surrounding its prospects.
“Anything can happen at the last minute,” he added.
