Sarawak DAP eyes 18 seats if the new electoral map is used in next state polls

BINTULU, Oct 26 2025: Sarawak DAP will contest 18 seats in the  coming Sarawak state election should the new electoral map is used for the coming state election, its chairman Chong Chieng Jen has said.

Chong Chieng Jen: The Sarawak DAP will not battle to change the state government in the coming state election
 

However, he said the party will contest 15 seats if the current number remains at 82 when the state election is called.

The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) passed amendments to the State Constitution last year to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99.

The Election Commission (EC), however, has yet to finalise the delineation exercise  of the state constituencies and if the new electoral map will be ready when the election is called either at the end of 2026 or early 2027.

The last state election was held on December 18, 2021.

Chong, who is also Padungan Sarawak Legislative Member (SLM), said he wants to make it clear that the coming state election will not be a battle for a change of government.  

“This shall be a battle for a stronger check and balance in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA), a battle for a stronger voice of the people of Sarawak and a battle for more accountability on the part of the government,” he said at the party’s annual convention here.

“All said, the necessary check and balance and the alternative voices of the people will not be heard and respected if we only have two at present in the 82-member assembly.  

“We and the people of Sarawak need more Opposition SLMs,” he said.

He expressed his hope that at the next convention, the party will have more SLMs after the state election.

Chong, who is also Stampin MP, stressed that the party’s struggle is based upon a strong belief that for any healthy democracy to operate, there must be a strong opposition and any government, without the existence of opposition, will inevitably become a tyranny.

He said Sarawak needs a strong Opposition to keep the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in check, adding that there are many who claim to be Opposition parties, but they either had never won any seat in elections or after winning some seats, joined the state government.

“All these years, the party remains the lone and consistent Opposition voice in the Sarawak but we never back away.

“Whenever someone is oppressed or bullied by the system or the government and its agencies, invariably it is the DAP who steps forward speaking up for and defending the oppressed and helping to resolve their problems,” he added.

 

Sarawak DAP urges state government to recognise third-generation Sarawakians of Chinese origin as natives

BINTULU, Oct 26 2025: Sarawak DAP has urged the state government to consider include the third-generation Sarawakians of Chinese, Indian or any other origins not mentioned in the Schedule of the Interpretation Ordinance as natives of the state.

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen being welcomed on arrival for the party's annual convention 

This is one of the resolutions adopted at the party’s annual convention here today.

Another resolution called upon the state government to achieve more racially balanced civil service proportionate to the racial composition of Sarawak by having equal and fair opportunity of promotion to all races.

The party calls upon the state government to effectively resolve the flooding problem in the state as well as to promptly pay out compensation to the flood victims, including the victims of Bintulu flood in early 2025.

Other resolutions are:

1. Calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the integrity and accuracy of the smart metres deployed by Sesco as the general public has felt a sudden increase in the electricity bills after the installation of the smart meters to their premises;

2. Calling on the state government to reveal the details of the RM30 billion loans taken by its companies, including the interest terms, loan repayment conditions, and the specific purposes for which the loans were obtained;

3. Calling on the state government to increase the efficiency and accountability of the local governments so that the issues affecting the people can be resolved in a more effective and responsive manners for better living conditions;

4. Calling on the state government to proactively address the issue of delayed completion of housing projects and issuance of individual titles in order to effectively help the stranded and innocent house purchasers;

5. Calling on the state government to review the re-categorization of land in Sarawak which has tremendously increased the land lease renewal premium of vast area of land;

6. Calling on the state government to implement reforms in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, particularly by appointing an opposition member as the Public Account Committee (PAC) chairman;

7. Calling on the state government to stop relying on off-balance sheet expenditures through alternative funding initiatives which distorts and conceal the actual government spending in the annual budget document.

8. Calling on the state government to review its plan to implement hydrogen powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project due to lack of viability, sustainability and cost effectiveness;

9. Calling on all local councils to put on hold any attempt to increase assessment rates, particularly in view of the increase in state revenue, which should be distributed and enjoyed by the people;

10. Calling on the state government and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd to resolve all water supply issues including taking steps to immediately upgrade all the existing water pipes which are susceptible to leakages (and thus Non-Revenue Water which costs millions of ringgit to all taxpayers on a yearly basis) which in turn also leads to numerous water cuts that affects the livelihood of the public.

 

Peter John tells Anwar not to fall into the trap set up by Pas

KUCHING, Oct 26 2025: Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban has cautioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against falling into the trap set up by the Islamist party Pas over the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims.

Peter John Jaban: Malaysia is not an Islamic country. It is a secular state, although Islam is the official religion. 

He said the prime minister, instead, should stand firm against any attempt to impose Islamic values on multicultural Malaysia, especially in light of multiple recent ‘controversies’ drummed up by Pas.

He noted that Pas members of parliament have raised in quick succession the issue of alcohol consumption in the national airline, in private-sector tourism events and now, apparently, on school premises.

“Malaysia is not an Islamic country. It is a secular state, although Islam is the official religion,” he said in a statement.

Peter said the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to a large proportion of its population who are non-Muslims, notably many of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“These constant attacks by Pas on the consumption of alcohol should be seen for what they are - an attempt to normalise Islamic practice within everyday life for all Malaysians, regardless of their religious background. As such, the party should be resisted,” he said.

He said a recent string of questions seems to be a coordinated campaign by Pas to demonise drinkers in Malaysia.

“Where will it end?” he asked, adding that he believed Pas will not be satisfied until there is no public consumption of alcohol allowed in Malaysia.

“In fact, as an Islamic party, I believe Pas would like to see a complete ban.

“Alcohol is enjoyed responsibly by many Malaysians for whom it is not against their religion. In fact, fermentation of alcohol is an important custom for the indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak, used to welcome visitors and in traditional rituals.

“It is now also a valuable product and a key part of our tourism offering,” he said, asking if the party succeeds in banning alcohol, what other freedoms will they go after next.

Peter urged the prime minister to stop pandering to this string of complaints by Pas representatives. He said Anwar needs to make clear that the nation’s educational rules and philosophy’ revolve around religious and racial tolerance, not around Islamic objections to alcohol.