Annuar Rapaee could be gamechanger in Chinese-majority Sibu, says analyst

 

(From left) Dr Annuar Rapaee of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu stands a chance if he takes on DAP’s Oscar Ling and Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Wong Soon Koh in the Sibu parliamentary constituency, says an analyst.

PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Parti Sarawak stands a good chance of winning the Sibu parliamentary seat in the coming general election if it fields Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Dr Annuar Rapaee, says an analyst.

Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said this was possible as it was likely the Chinese votes would be split between DAP and local opposition party Parti Sarawak Bersatu.

A three-way battle is shaping up in Sibu with DAP’s Oscar Ling slated to defend his seat against PSB president Wong Soon Koh and a GPS candidate.

Speculation is rife that GPS will field Annuar, the state deputy education minister and three-term Nangka assemblyman. Nangka is one of the four state seats within the Sibu parliamentary constituency.

Traditionally, the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), which is part of GPS, has contested the Sibu seat but Jeniri believes a change in strategy could benefit the coalition.

“Fielding Annuar could be a gamechanger. The split in votes between Wong and Ling will benefit GPS.

“And Annuar would be the best bet to get the maximum (number) of Bumiputera votes owing to his popularity,” he told FMT

According to Election Commission data, there are more than 74,000 voters in Sibu, with Chinese comprising 63% and Bumiputeras accounting for the rest.

Jeniri said PSB had shown in last year’s state election it was capable of pulling in the votes by winning four seats and displacing Pakatan Harapan as the main opposition in Sarawak.

Wong, a veteran of Sarawak politics, is also an influential figure in the state, having served as the Bawang Assan assemblyman for over 30 years. His seat also falls within the Sibu constituency.

“Wong will be able to pull a significant number of votes from the Chinese community and if SUPP can draw even a small amount of support for Annuar, then it is not impossible for GPS to win.

“However, it is traditionally a SUPP seat, so GPS will need to find a way to pacify the party if it were to pick Annuar to stand there.” - FMT