PAS sukar tembusi Sarawak, pengaruh PBB masih kukuh, kata penganalisis

PAS is expected to face challenges in expanding its influence in Sarawak due to strong support from the Malay-Melanau Muslim community for the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), says analyst Felo Akademi Sains Malaysia Jayum Jawan. The Malay-Melanau Muslim community, which forms about 70% of Sarawak's population, does not see a strong reason to switch allegiance to PAS as their interests are already well represented by PBB.

Jayum notes that Melayu-Melanau-Muslims have long been protected by PBB and Malay leadership for the past six decades since 1970. PAS aims to contest four seats in Sarawak's PRN, including Samariang, Sebuyau, and Beting Maro, following its success in winning the first-ever DUN seat in Sabah in November last year. PAS Sarawak representative Arifiriazul Paijo earlier mentioned that the state leadership has presented plans to be implemented at the central level.

PAS Sarawak also considers another seat, possibly in the Bintulu or Sibuti parliamentary areas, which will be announced later. Analyst Lee Kuok Tiung from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) points out that the "Sarawak First" sentiment and the focus on supporting a local party are among the main challenges PAS faces in establishing itself in the state.

Rakyat Sarawak is well aware of the role of the local party, especially in advocating for state rights under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63). Lee also mentions that GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) has an advantage due to its strong choice of constituencies, significant financial resources, and a record of development in the majoritarian Bumiputera Muslim region.

The recent trend shows a growing trend and inclination towards local parties. Long-standing national parties in Sarawak and Sabah face difficulties in retaining their seats. The recent controversy among some PAS leaders in the Peninsula could also spark negative reactions among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Sarawak's majority non-Muslim population, even though PAS aims to contest in a predominantly Muslim region.