GPS to contest all Sarawak seats, rules out peninsula party alliances

Sarawak's ruling coalition has made clear it will treat major peninsula parties as opposition rather than potential partners, according to GPS spokesman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The coalition is preparing to contest all 82 seats across the state in what would represent a comprehensive electoral strategy.

The decision effectively closes the door on cooperation with parties such as PKR and DAP, both of which have significant presence in peninsular Malaysia but also maintain operations in Sarawak. By positioning these parties as opposition, GPS appears intent on maintaining its dominance in the state legislature without sharing seats through coalition arrangements.

The move underscores GPS's emphasis on Sarawak-centric politics and its preference for conducting state elections as a unified bloc rather than as part of broader national coalitions. The strategy reflects the coalition's confidence in its electoral prospects and its focus on consolidating support among Sarawak's voters.

GPS has traditionally positioned itself as a state-focused political force, and the latest announcement reinforces that approach. With control of all 82 seats as its target, the coalition appears to be prioritising territorial control over any potential alliances with peninsula-based parties seeking expansion beyond their traditional strongholds.