Dick Lembang Dugun of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said newcomers Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) will pose the biggest threat to GPS in these areas.
“There are several ‘hot seats’ like Ngemah where GPS, then the Sarawak Barisan Nasional, won by only 154 votes in 2016. GPS is fielding a newcomer, Anyi Jana. There is a chance it could lose this seat,” said Dugun.
“Another seat is Tamin, which Christopher Gira Sambang of GPS will be defending in a straight fight against Joseph Entulu Belaun, a well-known figure in the community being a former federal minister.”
Even Baleh, the seat held by the late Sarawak deputy chief minister James Masing, is not a safe seat. It will be contested by Masing’s nephew, Nicholas Kudi Jantai, but Dugun said there were murmurs on the ground that he did not enjoy the full support of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak grassroots.
Dugun said the acceptability of candidates is a primary factor among Iban voters, “a bigger factor than the party that is contesting”. He said PRS had previously fielded a new face in Lubok Antu “and the grassroots did not accept it. The party lost to the independent candidate Jugah Muyang”.
He said there is some unhappiness among the community, particularly on issues like native customary rights land.
“They (Ibans) know the importance of land ownership. The issue is bureaucracy, especially when it comes to getting their land titles. In rural areas, many Ibans are not happy with the bureaucracy and this could affect support for GPS.”
On top of that, he said, there are more younger voters in this election compared to five years ago, and they are typically more politically savvy than older voters.
“At the same time, there is support for PSB which is fielding people who are strong in their constituencies like Joseph, former Marudi assemblyman Sylvester Entri Muran and Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat.”
Dugun said it will be harder for GPS to win Iban votes, especially if it does not address concerns over perceived unfairness and equality be it in politics and their rights.
“The Ibans are the majority, so if they feel they are not treated fairly, it will be hard to secure their votes,” he said.