There will be nine ‘hot seats’ being contested in the entire state in the coming 15th general election. These ‘hot seats’ will be competitive because of the weight of the candidates, local issues and domestic factors which will further intensify the competition. This will only be known after all the parties have announced their candidates, including Gabungan Parti Sarawak Sarawak (GP) that made the lineup announcement on Thursday. Among those that have yet to make an announcement is Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), which will contest under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) flagship.
According to the candidates’ list, GPS will contest in all 31 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan (30 seats); Parti Sarawak Bersatu – PSB (14); PN (7), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak – PBDS (4); and Parti Bangsa Malaysia – PBM (1). Two other local parties, namely Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak and Parti Sedar Rakyat Saraak which have revealed their decision to compete in four and two seats, however have not made any announcement yet.
As for the Independent candidate, at least ten individuals have revealed that they would like to stand this time and have also bought the nomination forms. Briefly, among the ‘hot seats’ is the Stampin Parliamentary seat, which will promise a close fight at the expense of PH Sarawak Chairman, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP) and Lo Khere Chiang (GPS). Currently, Khere Chiang is seen as the ‘underdog’ because in the previous 2018 General Election, Chong successfully overcame SUPP president, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian with a 14,221 majority votes.
However, that is old school news, caused by racial sentiments and the 1MDB scandal. This seat will be a focus and an interesting gamble because now, Chong faces a difficult period after the failed attempt of 22 months of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government and his move to the Padungan constituency after the 2021 state election leaving the Kota Sentosa seat abandoned. At the same time Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has put Lo Khere Chiang against him and not Tan Kai. Lo is deemed as the right choice allowing Chong a tougher competition. This is because Lo has a good reputation, open, friendly and non- bias which pleases the voters and people in general. He always greets the people and this character will cause confusion to the DAP camp.
Another expected ‘hot seat’ is the Lubok Antu Parliamentary seat. GPS will have Roy Angau Gingkoi to stand in this seat to challenge Jugak Muyang, formerly an Independent candidate who now stands as a PN candidate. Also standing is PKR candidate, Langga Lias and PSB’s Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa – this will make this seat an Iban contest. What is more interesting is the competition this time will be dependent on the candidate’s strength compared to the previous general election where some parties contesting were facing internal issues which eventually caused elements of sabotage.
Therefore, the contest this time around is much more balanced, however it will be a stern contest for the new-faces. It is already clear that the Saratok Parliamentary seat will be a focus of many. This is because it will be the last fort for Datuk Ali Biju who was previously instructed to leave by the leadership of his party in the 2021 state election in Krian. Which means there won’t be a given pass in this GE15. So Ali Biju will be sure to work hard to ensure this seat is not only won back but also a convincing majority win – taking into account the failed promise which had happened previously. Ali is expected to face two new faces, Giendam Jonathan Tait (GPS) and Ibil Jaya (PKR); and will certainly see a heated campaign period.
The Sarikei Parliamentary seat is no less intriguing because Incumbent Wong Ling Biu (DAP) no longer defends his seat. This will open opportunities for Repok assemblyman, Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (GPS), a repeated fight after losing in 2018. This time, he is facing a new candidate, Roderick Wong Siew Lead (DAP) which will make the campaign interesting and intense to win the heart of the people.
All eyes will be on the Julau Parliamentary seat as two traditional opponents compete since their era together in Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
It will be a repeated fight, as Datuk Larry Sng (PBM) will be challenged by Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (GPS), a candidate who lost in the previous GE with a majority of 1,931 votes. This seat will promise an interesting fight as it will signify a ‘dead or alive’ battle between the two party presidents. Currently, a ‘third party’ fight between the two is PBDS candidate, Susan George. However, she is not considered a fierce challenger.
Also we have the two Sibu ‘hot seats’, the Lanang Parliamentary and Sibu Parliamentary seat. These are considered hot because many constituencies are controlled by GPS while its incumbents in parliament are from DAP.
Many parties have assumed that the two parliamentary seats will make an easy choice by giving different support to two opposing parties, as long as they are well-represented. However, the reality may not be easy for Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (DAP) to defend the Lanang Parliamentary seat because she will face a three cornered fight this time.
GPS will send Wong Ching Yong to wrest back the seat while PSB will send Priscilla Lau, who has contested in the previous state election. In the Sibu Parliamentary seat, Datuk Annuar Rapaee is not contesting but GPS has nominated Clarence Ting, the Sibu Municipal Council chairperson to challenge Oscar Ling.
This will be interesting with Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who will intensify the challenge. As I have said earlier, it won’t be easy for DAP to defend two of their seats because their fortress at the DUN level has been shaken and unsteady.Nevertheless, they will campaign harder and this will require stronger machinery and the new faces of GPS may face intense challenges ahead.
Without Dr Michael Teo to defend the Miri seat, this opens the door to two new faces; Chiew Choon Man (PKR) and Jeffrey Phang Siaw Foong (GPS). Not many can be said of the two because they have not yet had a convincing political track record, except at the party level.
What is certain is the machinery and strategy of theirs to go to war is interesting because it is the only PKR seat left in Sarawak while GPS will have the upper hand at all DUN seats compared to DAP in the previous state election.
Lawas Parliamentary seat is also considered a ‘hot seat’ because it will be a battle of two Lun Bawang giants namely Datuk Henry Sum Agung (GPS) and Baru Bian (PSB).
Other candidates are Japar Suyut, a PKR veteran who will try his luck. The battle in North Sarawak will be a ‘hot seat’ because both individuals are big names and have served as ministers and deputy ministers at the Federal government.
Both have political experiences and will certainly think of a strategy to get and advantage over each other.
On paper, Henry Sum as an Incumbent will have the upper hand because he will have the support of Bukit Sari State Assembly while Baru Bian’s victory in the previous state election in Ba’kelalan failed to provide a huge majority.
With Baru Bian’s history contesting in Selangau, it would give Henry Sum an upper hand. However, anything can happen and anyone could turn the tide in the coming election. These nine ‘hot seats’ would be the ones to look out for while we watch, munch and sip on our hot coffee.
