Kuching: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is approaching the upcoming state election with what has been described as a “three-pronged political strategy” aimed at strengthening its electoral dominance through layered political positioning, according to DAP Sarawak Assistant Secretary Larry Asap.
Larry said the first prong of the strategy involves continuing to use the “Sarawak First” (S4S) narrative, which he claimed is meant to weaken support for so-called Malaya-based parties by reviving historical grievances linked to past federal-state relations.
“This narrative, which has circulated since 2016, continues to shape voter sentiment by linking opposition parties such as DAP to earlier periods when Sarawak was governed under Barisan Nasional, aligned with Peninsular Malaysia.
“The objective of this narrative is to weaken support for Malaya-based parties operating in Sarawak,” he said in a statement.
Larry said the second prong involves encouraging voters seeking opposition representation to support local parties such as Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) and Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak.
He said this creates an “alternative opposition space”, although GPS leaders have also made clear that their main objective is to retain all seats currently under coalition control.
“This indicates that the promotion of local opposition parties is part of a broader electoral narrative rather than a genuine opening of political space,” he said.
According to Larry, the third prong involves politically framing and weakening the same local opposition parties promoted as alternatives.
He claimed PBDS has been portrayed as a race-based party, while PBK has been linked to separatist narratives calling for Sarawak’s exit from Malaysia.
Larry also alleged that Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) continues to focus attacks on DAP, keeping national opposition parties central to political discourse in the state.
“This combined strategy creates a controlled political environment where opposition presence is managed rather than genuinely expanded,” he said.
Larry urged voters who support meaningful opposition representation in the State Assembly to assess the political narratives presented during the campaign critically.
“A clearer understanding of these dynamics is necessary to ensure that voters are not misled and that democratic checks and balances can be meaningfully strengthened in the coming state election,” he added.
