KUCHING: President of Parti Wawasan Rakyat (formerly Parti Sedar Rakyat), Affendi Jeman, has confirmed he will contest the Pantai Damai seat in the upcoming Sarawak state election, positioning both himself and his party for a more assertive role in the state’s political landscape.
In a clear signal of intent, Affendi revealed that Wawasan has already identified 17 constituencies to contest, with room for expansion should electoral boundaries be redrawn.
“Seventeen seats are confirmed for now, and we are prepared to increase that number if circumstances allow,” he said, keeping specific constituencies undisclosed.
He said this when met by reporters at his Aidilfitri 2026 Open House at Kasuma Resort Clubhouse here today.
Framing Wawasan as a pragmatic
and non-aligned force, Affendi stressed the party’s willingness to work across political divides, describing it as ‘friendly’ towards Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and the current MADANI-led federal administration.
However, he made it clear that Wawasan’s ultimate objective is not mere participation, but power.
“We want to be in the government. Only from within can we truly serve the people,” he said, signalling openness to align with any governing bloc – be it Pakatan Harapan (PH), BN, or Perikatan Nasional (PN), as long as it secures the party a role in governance.
His remarks reflect a calculated, kingmaker-style positioning, particularly in a fragmented political environment where smaller parties could hold the balance of power.
Despite targeting multiple seats, he struck a measured tone on expectations.
“Entering an election is not about winning everything. It is about securing a meaningful presence,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also used the platform to take aim at any immediate plans for electoral redelineation, arguing that such a move is unnecessary given existing infrastructure improvements across Sarawak.
“With the connectivity already in place, there should be no excuse for any representative to fail in serving their constituency within a five-year term,” he said, adding that “this is not the right time” for boundary changes.
On internal preparations, he confirmed that candidates, including members of the party’s top guns have largely been identified, with formal announcements expected closer to polling day, widely anticipated around September.
The party also unveiled ‘Wawasan 18’, its first manifesto targeting young voters, alongside the rollout of a youth wing aimed at mobilising the 18-and-above demographic, a crucial voting bloc in the coming election.
At the heart of Wawasan’s campaign, Affendi emphasised a redefinition of leadership.
“YB should not stand for ‘Yang Berhormat’, but ‘Yang Berkhidmat’. Leadership must be rooted in service, not status,” he said, drawing a contrast with what he implied as entrenched political culture.
While acknowledging the Sarawak Government’s progress in infrastructure development, Affendi positioned Wawasan as the next phase in the state’s political evolution.
“The foundation has been laid. What we offer is the next step, better governance, stronger delivery, and a forward-looking Sarawak,” he said.
With his Pantai Damai bid now confirmed, Affendi’s entry sets the stage for a potentially high-stakes contest, as Wawasan seeks to translate its ambitions into tangible political influence.
