KUCHING: Addressing local issues will carry more weight among Sarawakian voters compared to national issues in GE15, says an analyst.
National Council of Professors senior fellow Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir said the voter sentiment had changed since 2018, when national issues such as 1MDB and the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) were at the forefront.
"These issues caused voters to have a negative perception of Barisan Nasional in GE14.
"Now, the perception has changed, judging from the results of the Sarawak election last year," he said.
In the state polls, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won 76 out of a total of 82 seats.
"That shows there is a change in voting trends in Sarawak. Voters will pay attention to local issues such as economic and
infrastructure development, utility issues such as water and electricity supply as well as providing better education opportunities.
"I believe GPS will win at least 25 of the 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak compared to only 19 in 2018," Jeniri said.
However, he said some seats would see a tough battle, depending on the candidates and voter demographics.
"In Bandar Kuching, it will be a tough fight for GPS because the majority of voters there are Chinese.
"Mas Gading will probably be an easier win for GPS as they have a new and better candidate who knows what the people are going through," he said.
In Bandar Kuching, DAP's incumbent Kelvin Yii is facing a three-cornered fight with GPS' newcomer Tay Tze Kok and PSB's Voon Lee Shan.
In Mas Gading, GPS candidate Lidang Disen is attempting to wrest the seat after DAP's Mordi Bimol's win in 2018.
Jeniri said another seat to watch is Julau, where incumbent Datuk Larry Sng of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) is facing a rematch against Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum for GPS.
He said this would be an interesting contest as it signifies a "do or die" battle between the two party presidents.
