KUCHING, March 25 2026: As Sarawak is heading towards its 13th state election, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan (picture) has reminded that politics is not just about winning elections.
He said it is about delivering a powerful message of protecting rights, upholding dignity, and ensuring justice. It's about exposing and reforming corrupt, ineffective systems.
“Relying on harassment, bribery, or shortcuts to "win" is selfish and risks national collapse,” he said, adding that winning seats through political bribery, abuse of democracy, and deceit should be shameful.
He added a government gained this way teaches citizens to condone wrongdoing and corruption, poisoning the nation's moral core.
“In a democracy, every citizen bears a responsibility to engage—no fence-sitting allowed. Otherwise, fools rule while the intelligent and upright stay sidelined.
“Ultimately, sending the right message can heal a nation, even without electoral triump,” he said citing as an example former South African president Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid crusade, his global message of reconciliation and human rights pressured South Africa's regime into change long before his 1994 victory.
He said PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, despite imprisonment and electoral defeats, his cries against corruption and for democratic freedoms mobilized millions, planting seeds for today's multiparty landscape and influencing even his opponents.
“The Bersih coalition's yellow-shirt rallies since 2007 show the same power. Without winning seats, their message for clean, fair elections pressured governments across administrations to introduce reforms like indelible ink and postal voting, proving voices can compel change from those in power.
“These examples affirm: Winning seats matters less if your message echoes loudly enough to reshape the system,” he said.
Voon said Sarawak is at a critical crossroads—act now or lose everything, saying that people are furious with the federal government, but endless talk without action, fence-sitting, and dodging politics will destroy Sarawak.
“With the 13th state election speculated to be held soon, the time for excuses is over. We are at crossroads because of the issues of oil and gas, control of revenues that had impeded our progress. “Our unity and racial harmony is disintegrating due to religion and race issues fanned by people across the South China Sea.
“This is not normal and not acceptable by Borneo people who love peace, not hate among people,” Voon said.
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