Once-powerful Dayak party PBDS activates election machinery in rural Sarawak, targeting native-majority seats
MIRI: A historically significant indigenous opposition party is making its comeback bid as Sarawak prepares for state elections later this year.
Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), which wielded considerable political influence during the 1980s and 1990s, has announced its return to electoral politics by activating campaign operations across rural Sarawak constituencies.
According to Sigie Badang, the party’s Information Chief, PBDS plans to field candidates specifically in areas where indigenous communities constitute the voting majority.
“Our party machinery has been activated throughout rural Sarawak as we anticipate state elections within the coming months,” Badang stated in an official announcement.
He emphasised that the party aims to provide indigenous Sarawakians with dedicated representation to advocate for their rights and interests.
“PBDS previously served as a formidable force championing native causes. Our objective is to reclaim that position, as indigenous communities require authentic representation in their pursuit of equitable development and justice,” Badang explained.
The party has initiated its campaign preparations in northern Sarawak, focusing on the Telang Usan, Marudi, and Mulu state constituencies.
Sarawak’s demographic composition shows approximately one million indigenous residents within its total population of 2.8 million.
Of this indigenous population, roughly 80 percent identify as Dayak.
Badang noted increasing grassroots support among Dayak communities calling for PBDS to mount a substantial electoral challenge.
“Indigenous communities at the grassroots level are encouraging PBDS to represent their aspirations. They seek stronger advocacy for their rights and a larger share in the state’s developmental progress,” he said.
“Our party possesses both the institutional experience and qualified candidates to provide effective representation for Sarawak’s native populations.”
During its peak influence, PBDS maintained a significant opposition presence in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, holding multiple seats while simultaneously being part of the federal Barisan Nasional coalition.
However, internal disputes and organisational challenges led to fragmentation and eventual political irrelevance, with the party currently holding no seats at either state or parliamentary levels.
Badang stressed that PBDS now operates independently, maintaining no formal ties with either the federal Unity Government or the state-level Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition.
“Our independence allows us to advocate more forcefully for Dayak interests at both state and federal levels without political constraints,” he added.
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly comprises 82 seats, with Gabungan Parti Sarawak currently controlling 80 seats and Sarawak DAP holding two.
The current legislative term concludes on December 18, 2026.
