GPS still choice of voters

KUCHING: A political analyst believes that as of now Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is popular among Sarawakians, including voters.

Universiti Malaya Associate Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi said he based his observation on the survey carried out by his team recently, which showed that 70 to 80 per cent of voters in Sarawak support GPS.

He also said the survey showed that most Malays, Melanaus and Ibans are with GPS.

“Our survey, which was carried out between June and September this yea, showed that 85 per cent of the Malays, 90 per cent of the Melanaus and 60 to 70 per cent of the Ibans are still with GPS.

“But sorry to say, 80 per cent of the Chinese and 60 to 70 per cent of the Bidayuhs in Sarawak are with PH (Pakatan Harapan),” he said when met after the launch of the 7th Sarawak Malay Culture seminar here yesterday.

Awang Azman said most Malays, Melanaus and Ibans were dissatisfied with PH because they felt that they did not get anything from the coalition that is ruling the federal government.

Citing an example, he said the Iban community was not happy with the PH government because they did not have any representative in the Federal Cabinet.

“The main thing that the Malays, Melanaus and Ibans are not supportive of PH is because of the reduction in federal allocations for Sarawak.

“When the PH federal government cut down its development allocations in Sarawak, Sarawakians are the ones who suffer.”

On whether the Bidayuhs were really with GPS, Awang Azman said only time could tell, adding that one of the possible reasons why the Bidayuhs are with PH is that most of them are living in the urban or sub-urban areas.

Another factor, he reasoned, is that support from the Bidayuhs for PH increased when Democratic Action Party (DAP) won more seats during the 14th general election and because the Bidayuh community is among the ethnic groups in Sarawak with many graduates, who could have influenced others in their community.

Awang Azman believes that the sentiments among the people in Sarawak would probably be clearer after the tabling of the national and state budgets.

“I was given to understand that the national budget will give greater emphasis to the development of Sabah and Sarawak, but I was told that the impact of the state budget is likely to be better than the national budget.

“Both the PH government and GPS government have pledged to give their best,” he said.

Awang Azman, however, expressed doubt whether the budgets can convince the voters because most people are still not aware of the impact the budgets may bring to them.

He believes that only 25 to 30 per cent of the people in Sarawak are very concerned and understand the budgets.

“The rest, I think they just want to see if there is any bonus or salary increment,” he said.