KUCHING: The next Sarawak state elections will present a ‘totally new dimension’ for the Democratic Action Party (DAP), said its state chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Speaking at the party’s 2024 Ordinary Convention on Sunday (Dec 1), he said it would be unlike past elections where Sarawak DAP contested as an opposition party.
“In the coming state elections, our position is, (being) part of the federal government but the opposition in Sarawak.
“Our opponent, besides being the ruling party in Sarawak, is also part of the federal government. We are thus allies in the federal government but opposing parties in the state,” he said.
Chong said there are calls for Sarawak DAP and the whole of Pakatan Harapan to sit out of the state elections.
“Therefore, one of the very first tasks that the new DAP state committee has to decide is whether in the coming state elections Sarawak DAP should sit out the whole elections, contest only the two incumbent seats or contest more seats to form a stronger check and balance in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN),” he said.
On Sarawak DAP’s mission, he said when Sarawak DAP was first founded in 1978, it was in a political environment where there was zero opposition in Sarawak when the then Sarawak National Party (SNAP) joined Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1976, two years after the 1974 state elections.
“It was the strong conviction and belief that Sarawak needs a strong opposition, a voice for the people, that formed the basis for the founding of DAP Sarawak and it is that belief that has carried us to this day.
“We must not forget our original conviction in the party struggle,” he said.
He added the interest of Sarawak, the interest of the ordinary people of the state, must take priority in all the party’s decisions including whether the party should contest in the coming state elections.
“And I strongly believe that it is in the interest of the ordinary people of Sarawak that Sarawak DAP must not only contest but must also win more seats in the coming state elections,” he said.
