After Sabah breakthrough, PAS eyes 4 seats in Sarawak polls

The Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) is targeting four seats in the upcoming Sarawak state election, following its success in winning a seat in the Sabah assembly. Sarawak PAS chief Arifiriazul Paijo announced that the state chapter has proposed the matter to the central leadership for approval. If approved, these three seats - Samariang, Sebuyau, and Beting Maro - are almost certain, subject to the top leadership's decision.

Arifiriazul added that PAS is also eyeing one more seat in the Bintulu or Sibuti parliamentary constituency, which will be announced later. PAS has around 10,000 members in Sarawak, with 1,000 being non-Muslims. The party made history in Sabah's polls on November 29, winning its first-ever elected seat in East Malaysia, with state chief Aliakbar Gulasan winning the Karambunai seat.

PAS contested only one seat in Sarawak's 2021 polls, Beting Maro, which was retained by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak with a majority of 1,711 votes ahead of Arifiriazul. Both Beting Maro and Sebuyau fall under the Batang Lupar federal constituency, while Samariang is in Petra Jaya. These three state seats have a majority Muslim-Bumiputera electorate.

PAS has contested more seats in Sarawak over time, fielding 11 candidates in the 2016 state polls but failing to win any.