S'wak Polls: Candidates up the ante as campaigning goes full swing

The northern region of Sarawak comprises the Miri, Bintulu and Limbang divisions, with 14 out of the 18 state seats in the region listed among the 64 state constituencies permitted by the Election Commission (EC) to hold physical ceramah (political talks) activities due to poor Internet access.

The campaign machinery of every party is already up and running to, among others, distribute candidate information leaflets to voters, carry out publicity campaigns using loudspeakers as well as put up flags, posters and banners of the candidates.

In Lawas, where the Bukit Sari and Ba'kelalan state seats are, the vibrant physical campaigning activities are being carried out under the new normal and in strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) stipulated by the EC and Ministry of Health.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) election director for the Bukit Sari constituency, Awangku Jinal Abidin Pengiran Jawa said the campaigning by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was already in "third gear" as it seeks to ensure its candidate, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, retains the seat.

The focus of the GPS machinery, he said, was to ensure voters in Bukit Sari, especially those in rural areas, could differentiate between the GPS logo and that of another party as both logos featured the hornbill.

"We are also preparing a campaigning schedule on physical ceramah, including applying for permits. In fact, only those who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to join our party machinery for campaigning and they must always comply with the stipulated SOP," he told Bernama.

The EC had stipulated that physical ceramah or political talks would only be allowed in 64 state constituencies, provided police permit is obtained, done in an indoor location and with attendance limited to the residents of villages or longhouses only.

At the Bekenu state seat, GPS candidate Datuk Rosey Yunus jumped at the opportunity to visit and campaign at almost every longhouse in the constituency.

"The Bekenu area has been listed as one with weak Internet coverage and that's why we can still hold ceramah as well as make visits to the longhouses. But we must all apply for police permit first," she said.

Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) candidate in Marudi, Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran said they had stepped up the party's campaigning momentum to promote its new manifesto that was launched yesterday.

Party candidates must use the added advantage of campaigning face-to-face to the fullest and explain PSB's offers to the electorate, he said.

Apart from that, candidates contesting in the election this time also took advantage of daily morning exercise activities to greet voters, besides carrying out live streaming via Facebook to provide the latest developments on local issues and the people's welfare.

For example, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) holds virtual media conferences almost daily with its candidates besides featuring its election campaign activities.

There are also political parties using mobile trucks as a medium for campaigning and to announce their party manifesto to the locals.

A total of 349 candidates will be contesting in the 12th Sarawak election, with 1,252,014 million registered voters set to elect their respective state representatives to form the state government.

The EC has set tomorrow for early voting and Dec 18 as polling day.