KUCHING: It is unadvisable to hold the state election together with the general election (GE), opined a political observer.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Dr Arnold Puyok said this would not be a good strategy, adding that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government need not rush to hold elections and also need not worry about the state election.
“People are now facing what is called election hectic, meaning they are tired of elections,” he said yesterday.
According to him, Malaysians had just faced the 14th GE in 2018 and now may have to go for the 15th GE, then the state election.
“I think this will make people tired of elections.
“People actually wanted a government that is less politicking but a government that can govern our state and country more effectively,” he added.
Arnold, who is deputy dean of Social Science and Humanity Faculty, said it was still early for Sarawak to hold its election, furthermore the political situation at national level was currently unstable.
“The GPS government need not have to worry about the election as Pakatan Harapan in Sarawak is already not strong and not a serious threat to GPS.
“Of course there are people who said now is the right time to hold the state election because your political enemies are weak, but to me what’s more important is the need to stabilise national politics and after that, then we can think of holding the state election,” he said.
He said grassroots support for GPS was strong, explaining: “I always go down to the ground to do my field studies with my students where we interviewed voters and community leaders and generally, the majority of them are placing their confidence in GPS leaders to continue governing the state.”
“They said GPS are made up of Sarawak-based parties which they believe can deliver more development to them, especially in rural areas.”
He added that for rural people, what they wanted was infrastructure development such as roads, water supply and electricity.
“All these are so important to them,” he stressed.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, when asked by reporters on the possibility of holding the state election together with the 15th general election, said the State Assembly would be dissolved at the right time.
