Sarawak DAP confirms candidates are identified for state polls, targeting 15–18 seats to strengthen
KUCHING: Sarawak DAP has finalised its candidate lineup for the upcoming state election, with the party’s vice chairman confirming that preparations are well advanced even as the exact polling date remains unannounced.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year community gathering in Sibu, Sarawak DAP vice chairman and Sibu MP Oscar Ling said the early identification of candidates is essential given the scale of the challenge ahead — a contest against the dominant ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
“We already have our candidates ready to be fielded as and when the Sarawak state elections are called. I cannot reveal names. All I can say for now is there will be many new faces. They are capable and qualified — they can function effectively as the voice of the Sarawak rakyat and serve as a check and balance to the ruling GPS,” Ling said.
He acknowledged that the battle ahead would be a difficult one, but expressed confidence that voters in Sarawak increasingly recognise the value of a credible opposition presence in the state assembly.
The party is targeting between 15 and 18 state constituencies in the impending polls — a significant expansion from its current two seats in the 82-seat Dewan Undangan Negeri. Sarawak DAP presently holds only Padungan and Pending, leaving GPS with an overwhelming 80-seat majority.
State DAP Youth secretary George Lam, who outlined the target in a statement last month, said the goal was set by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen in internal party discussions and was described as a realistic and achievable objective.
“We want to be the second voice of the people of Sarawak. GPS will surely still win enough seats to form the next state government — they have enormous resources and their rural support is deeply entrenched. However, Sarawak DAP is confident we can secure a good number of seats to be an effective check and balance,” Lam said.
He stressed that the current two-seat opposition presence in an 82-member assembly was structurally inadequate for meaningful democratic oversight.
“That is very unhealthy for check and balance of the ruling governance. Sarawak DAP must win more seats so that we can be an effective voice in checking on the ruling government,” he said.
The state election is widely expected to be called after the Gawai Dayak celebrations in June, with polling potentially scheduled for July or August, though no official announcement has been made.
