Kuching: I am of the view that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is likely to continue governing Sarawak after the next state election, and that Sarawak’s political stability will not be shaken.
In this context, DAP Sarawak will continue to play its role as the opposition, serving as a bridge between the people and the Sarawak government on issues affecting livelihoods and public aspirations.
The likelihood of political instability in Sarawak remains low.
GPS continues to enjoy strong electoral prospects across most parts of the state, and the overall composition of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly after the next election is not expected to change significantly.
As such, GPS’s current policy agenda is likely to continue to be implemented following the election.
GPS possesses a relatively strong and entrenched grassroots network throughout Sarawak.
Given Sarawak’s vast geographical size, low population density, and the higher proportion of indigenous voters, electoral competition in interior constituencies is generally limited.
Even where stronger challenges emerge, GPS often prevails due to its resource advantages and entrenched grassroots machinery.
Its position in the interior regions remains difficult to dislodge in the short term.
However, I believe that the next Sarawak state election will be more competitive in urban and semi-urban constituencies.
Urban voters generally demonstrate stronger democratic awareness and tend to support opposition parties that are willing to speak up and reflect the people’s concerns.
In contrast, governing parties often adopt a more restrained approach on certain issues to balance broader political and administrative considerations.
As a result, urban voters are more inclined to support opposition voices that dare to speak out and advocate firmly on behalf of the people.
In the previous state election, GPS reached its political peak, winning 76 of 82 seats.
Since then, three seats formerly held by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) have been dissolved and absorbed into GPS, while the remaining independent seat is also aligned with GPS.
This has effectively created an overwhelming imbalance of nearly 80 to 2 in favor of the ruling bloc over the opposition in the State Assembly.
Under such political realities, I believe urban voters are increasingly reminded that without sufficient support for the opposition, Sarawak’s State Assembly risks losing meaningful diversity of voices.
The channels for public expression may diminish, and genuine public sentiment could be overlooked.
I further note that DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen, in his speech at the DAP Sarawak State Delegates Conference held in Bintulu on 26 October last year, clearly stated that DAP Sarawak will contest 15 seats under the current 82-seat configuration, or 18 seats should the Assembly expand to 99 seats.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fulfilling its role as a responsible opposition by exercising effective oversight and checks and balances within the State Assembly.
Sarawak today does not lack large-scale development projects.
What it lacks is a genuine second voice that truly represents the people.
As major projects continue to be rolled out, Sarawakians need more elected representatives in the State Assembly to scrutinise policy implementation.
Where policies are unjust or deviate from public interest, the opposition must act as a check on the government, strengthen democratic practices in the Assembly, and safeguard the people’s legitimate interests.
In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that DAP Sarawak is not entering the next state election with the objective of forming the Sarawak government.
Instead, we stand firmly alongside the people of Sarawak and contest the election from the people’s perspective.
Our mission is to ensure that public voices are heard and that more genuine representatives of the people are elected to the State Assembly to speak up on their behalf.
A second voice for the people is not meant to undermine stability.
It exists to allow the people to speak, to offer constructive suggestions, and to work together with the government in building a more just and better Sarawak.
George Lam
DAPSY Sarawak Secretary
19 January 2026
