AS Sarawak folk head to the polls on Saturday, most, if not all, political experts have written off the chances of one of the most controversial parties contesting, the pro-independence Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), making an impact.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) analyst Jayum Jawan summed up the views of analysts The Malaysian Insight have spoken to when he said it would not be a surprise if the party, led by former DAP assemblyman Voon Lee Shan, fails to win a single seat.

Lee Kuok Tiong of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) predicted that most of the PBK candidates would even lose their deposits.

PBK is among 10 political parties and coalitions contesting in the state elections and has fielded candidates in 70 of the 82 constituencies up for grabs.

While the analysts agree that the party “will win zero seats”, they also concur that the expected outcome is not a reflection of the sentiment that Sarawak folk are not keen on secession and be on their own as an independent nation.

James Chin, University of Tasmania’s expert on Asian studies, said even if PBK does not succeed in its first election foray, it matters little on the issue of secession and the secessionist movement.

He said since the issue is linked to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), talks of secession and unhappiness over Putrajaya’s non-compliance of the agreement will still be an ongoing issue for many elections to come.

“It would be in every election, whether it’s brought up by the major opposition or the governing party. Somebody will bring it up sooner or later because it has a very strong emotional appeal,” he said.

Chin said the secession issue has a political narrative that is “very easily understood”, alluding to the general sentiment among Sarawak people who feel that Sarawak should have never been a part of Malaysia.

He said although the Sarawak forefathers had gone on to agree and form the Federation of Malaysia, the Sarawak folk of today are of the view that “the other side” – Peninsular Malaysia and the federal government – has not held up its side of the bargain and abide by the conditions of the agreement and, therefore, Sarawak should back out.

“So it is a very simple narrative. Everybody understands it and as long as it remains an unresolved issue, it will remain an election issue for many, many elections to come.”

Unknown candidates are PBK’s challenge

The Sarawak-born Lee of UMS said he does not see Sarawak people being against the idea of separation or independence from Malaysia if PBK were to perform poorly in the polls.

He said the failure could be due to many factors.

“For a candidate or a party to win an election, it depends on many factors. They include the choice of candidate, the party’s election machinery and the manifesto,” he said.

Lee said in PBK’s case, its expected failure could be attributed to its candidates.

“Most of them are totally unknown to the electorate,” he said.

“Thus, it’s a challenge for them to get votes.”

Similarly, UPM’s Jawan said even if PBK fails in Saturday’s elections, it does not mean that the discontent of the people of Sarawak is not important.

He said instead of pushing for separation, perhaps Sarawak people prefer a more consultative way to resolving the MA63 issues.

“Separating from Malaysia is not an option,” he said.

“If there are discontented elements, these must be addressed through proper channels. Least is going separate ways.

“The Federation of Malaysia was, and is, good but some leaders after independence might have veered away from the original intention of the founding fathers.

“These need consultation and solutions, which could be discussed among the various parties.”

Jawan said PBK is headed for a dismal showing not because of its secession stance.

He said the major cause of its likely defeat is that it does not have a working policy to offer.

“It is basing its appeal on the populist catchphrase of ‘quest for independence’. This is quite a thing to seek and set as a platform of political struggle as it goes against the very nature of nation-building,” he added. – December 14, 2021.