KUCHING: As campaigning in the Sarawak state election reaches midpoint this weekend, political parties across the divide are seeing less enthusiasm among voters this time.

       Due to the strict standard operating procedures (SOP) in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation is a far cry from the usual fanfare associated with the state polls.

       A Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) official said there was little excitement about the polls, with people not eager to talk about politics or engage with candidates.

       “Even though Covid cases have been coming down, people are still worried that there could be a spike,” he said.

       A DAP official also admitted that voters were rather unreceptive, attributing this to the Covid-19 scare.

       “To make things worse, we cannot hold ceramah and usually this is where we get voters’ attention. We hope the Election Commission can relax the rules a bit for us to meet with voters,” said the official.

       Gabungan Parti Sarawak youth chief Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said the coalition’s campaign activities were gaining momentum.

       “Our coverage and preparation are looking better than our opponents. We hope that by now the people can see that only GPS is the best to serve all Sarawakians,” declared Rentap when met in Krian along his campaign trail.

       Political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi attributed the lukewarm response to campaigning due to cautiousness towards the SOP.

       “I don’t think it is political fatigue. Unlike in Melaka, Sarawakians are meant to go to the ballot box to elect a government,” he pointed out.

       With the strict SOP in place, candidates are mindful of their activities as they do not want to find themselves in trouble for breaching regulations.

       They have been rather cautious and this could be seen each time The Star asked candidates to pose for photographs of them distributing flyers or pamphlets.

       “Are you sure this is allowed? We don’t want to get into trouble over the SOP!” would be the response.

       The weather has also not been on their side – it has been raining every day since Nomination Day on Dec 6.

       University of Tasmania’s Asian Studies Professor James Chin observed that the election was a quiet and localised affair so far, with no federal leaders coming to campaign in Sarawak.

       In his estimation, the election is a three-way contest between GPS, DAP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) at present.

       While GPS is not getting a helping hand from its Peninsular Malaysia allies, PKR on the other hand, has called for reinforcements.

       (Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional are not fielding candidates in this election and SOP dictates that only leaders from parties participating in the election are allowed to travel to Sarawak.)

       Its advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was in Simunjan, Asajaya, Serembu and Opar to help party candidates to campaign and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to be doing the same when he arrives today.

       Awang Azman said that the PKR candidates contesting in the 28 seats could do with some help as, unlike in Selangor, the party is not as strong or popular here.