DAP, PKR, Amanah and PAS could find themselves handicapped as the Election Commission has placed an interstate travel ban on campaign workers for the Sarawak elections, according to a political analyst.

The ban is contained in the Sarawak elections standard operating procedure (SOP), which has just been released by the Election Commission (EC).

The exception to the rule is only the top five leaders of the party, if they are contesting in the election, are allowed to enter the state to campaign.

Parties are also required to register the names of these five leaders to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee for record.

James Chin, an Asian Studies expert at the University of Tasmania, said the travel ban should not come as a surprise to anyone.

“They will always set these rules and restrictions. (But) I don’t know why they want to do such things.”

Chin said the ruling four-party coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) already “has so many advantages” and the ban would make GPS look bad.

He said even in allowing five leaders to come in and campaign, it will still be a handicap to DAP and PKR.

Another implication of the ban, Chin said “anything goes” in the state’s rural areas, as the national parties would not have enough people to monitor the thousands of longhouses, villages and settlements.

“Since the EC has no eyes there, nobody can report on anything that happens in the rural areas.”

Universiti Malaya’s political expert Awang Azman Awang Pawi agreed the ban will be handicap to DAP and PKR.

“It will certainly put them on the back foot,” he added.

“As a matter of fact, there is no necessity for such a rule. Let them fight as democratically as possible.”

Awang Azman said the ban could muzzle the noise that normally accompanies the state elections, also making it the most shackled.

“This is an overkill.”

As expected, the EC tweaked its Malacca elections SOP a little for Sarawak by allowing face-to-face political gatherings or ceramah in 64 constituencies that have poor internet and telecommunication services.

Most are rural constituencies, although some are on the fringes of Kuching city that do not even have basic amenities like electricity.

The constituencies are Tasik Biru in Bau; Opar and Tanjong Datu in Lundu; Asajaya, Muara Tuang, Stakan in Asajaya; Serembu, Mambong, Tarat, Tebedu, Kedup, Bukit Semuja in Serian; Sadong Jaya, Simunjan, Gedong, Sebuyau, Lingga, Beting Maro on the coast of Sri Aman, Balai Ringin Bukit Begunan, Simanggang, Engkilili, Batang Ai, Saribas, Layar, Bukit Saban, Krian, Kabong, Kuala Rajang, Semop, Daro, Jemoreng, Repok, Meradong, Pakan, Meluan, Ngemah, Machan, Dudong, Bawang Assan, Dalat, Tellian, Balingian, Tamin, Kakus, Pelagus, Katibas, Bukit Goram, Baleh, Belaga, Murum, Jepak, Kemena, Samalaju, Bekenu, Lambir, Marudi, Telang Usan, Mulu, Bukit Kota, Batu Danau, Ba’Kelalan and Bukit Sari.

Apart from this, the EC has allowed press conferences after party meetings, with proper social distancing. 

House visits are also allowed this time with no more than three fully vaccinated campaigners but they are not allowed to enter the house.  

It said each party can choose 15 top leaders to move between constituencies, and the list must be submitted to the state’s disaster management committee and the EC. – December 5, 2021.