Kuching: Full autonomy granted to DAP Sarawak in deciding its election candidates and campaign strategies ahead of the coming Sarawak state election, reflecting the central leadership’s highest level of trust.
DAPSY Sarawak Secretary George Lam said the announcement made by DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke last Saturday regarding the matter is an important recognition and a show of respect towards DAP Sarawak leaders, members, and the people of Sarawak.
“The announcement further strengthens the unique autonomy enjoyed by DAP Sarawak. Thank you to Anthony Loke for his clear statement on empowering the DAP Sarawak leadership with the autonomy,” he said in a statement.
According to Lam, DAP Sarawak has genuine decision-making power to determine candidate selection and campaign strategies independently.
He said this distinguishes DAP Sarawak from certain other Sarawak-based political parties which still need approval from coalition leaders before finalising their election candidates.
“This clearly demonstrates that DAP Sarawak remains the only political party in Sarawak with true political autonomy,” he said.
During a press conference after the BAS.MY Kuching new routes launch, Loke said decisions on candidates to be fielded by the DAP in the upcoming Sarawak state election will be determined entirely by its Sarawak chapter.
He said DAP Sarawak has the autonomy to decide on candidate selection, including matters on whether delegates would be allowed to contest both parliamentary and state seats simultaneously.
“When asked earlier whether there would be a reduction or a restriction on allowing delegates to contest both Parliament and the state assembly seats simultaneously, I said that the DAP Sarawak will make the decision, as it has the autonomy to decide on candidate selection,” he said.
Commenting on the number of candidates to be fielded, the Federal Transport Minister said the matter would only be announced after the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in due course.
“Let’s wait for now. We also do not know yet. The Sarawak Premier has not announced when the dissolution will take place. So we do not know when the election will be.
“The number of candidates will only be announced after the DUN (State Legislative Assembly) is dissolved,” he said.
