KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) decision to retain four incumbents reflects confidence in their performance and standing among constituents ahead of the 13th Sarawak General Election, says a political analyst.
On Sunday (Nov 9), Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (Tupong), Datuk Ibrahim Baki (Satok), Datuk Hamzah Brahim (Stakan) and Datuk Martin Ben (Kedup), all from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), would be renominated.
Political analyst Datuk Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said the decision also reflected internal party assessments of the four incumbents’ standing among their respective constituents.
Lee, an associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), said retaining the four candidates suggested that they had secured favourable approval ratings based on internal intelligence, ground surveys and community feedback.
“I see the announcement as reflecting strategic electoral calculus and internal party positioning within GPS. It could also reflect confidence in the performance of the four of them,” he said.
He noted that Satok and Tupong are traditionally strongholds of the Malay-Melanau community, with both urban and semi-urban constituencies falling under the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency.
Satok, represented by Ibrahim, is particularly significant as it was previously a stronghold of the Premier himself.
Meanwhile, Stakan and Kedup, which have suburban and rural characteristics and diverse demographic compositions, including significant Bidayuh communities, presented different constituency dynamics.
Lee said the renomination of Hamzah and Martin indicated GPS’ confidence in their continued efforts to deliver infrastructure development, serve local communities and address residents’ welfare needs.
He said announcing the candidates early also offered strategic advantages by putting an end to speculation and allowing the incumbents to begin their election preparations ahead of the campaign period.
“An early confirmation also has its benefits, as it ends all speculation and allows them to start their campaign early,” he said.
According to Lee, candidate selection decisions are generally guided by political stability and practical assessments, including previous electoral performance and grassroots acceptance.
He pointed out that all four candidates secured strong mandates in the previous election, with no major controversies surrounding them.
Changes in candidacy, he said, usually occurred when incumbents faced poor performance, chose to retire or encountered significant opposition from grassroots supporters.
He added that retaining the incumbents would provide continuity for ongoing regional development initiatives while allowing GPS to concentrate its resources and campaign strategies on more marginal constituencies.
However, Lee cautioned that the decision should not lead to complacency.
“Nevertheless, one must never become overconfident. It is essential to respect the opposition and remain fully committed to winning the seats entrusted to them,” he said.
