Sarawak Harapan positions itself as the ‘genuine opposition’

 

SARAWAK POLLS | Sarawak Pakatan Harapan has sought to distinguish itself as the “genuine and true” opposition bloc.

Component parties also presented a united front at the halfway point of the Sarawak election campaign period.

In a press conference in Kuching today, Sarawak Harapan chief Chong Chieng Jen (above) contended that only they could effectively check and balance the incumbent GPS government.

“It may be a bit confusing for the voters (as to) which opposition party or which party to support.

“Our united call is to vote for a genuine and true opposition in this state election.

“Harapan parties - PKR, DAP and Amanah - we have a long-established history and we have gone through elections.

“Win or lose, we are here to speak up for the people and fight for their rights,” he said.

The candidate for Padungan, Chong was flanked today by the Harapan candidates for Opar, Tasik Biru, Demak Laut, Tupong, Samariang, Satok, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kitang, Batu Kawah, Asajaya, Muara Tuang, Stakan, Serembu, Mambong and Tarat.

This election sees three larger opposition parties battling against GPS in most seats - Harapan, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).

“A vote casted for them (other opposition parties) would be a waste […]

“There is no point in voting for other opposition parties […] your votes will be split to benefit GPS,” Chong appealed.

DAP and PKR previously locked horns over seat allocations but ultimately did not clash in any seats.

‘We only had 22 months’

Chong further appealed to voters who believed that the 2018-2020 Harapan federal government had achieved little.

“There are allegations that Harapan, during its 22 months in government, did not do anything.

We agree that we did not do enough.

“But to judge Harapan’s 22 months in government for a term (that) we were elected for five years - we call on the people to understand the situation.

“We only had 22 months to try to repair the damage done to the country over 55 years,” he said.

Despite its truncated tenure, DAP Stampin MP noted that Harapan had managed to abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“If there was no change of government (in GE14), Najib Abdul Razak would still be the prime minister and all the dirt, corruption and all the rakyat’s money that has gone into 1MDB would have been swept under the carpet,” he added. - Mkini