Jepak DAP chief Tonny Ung said Sarawak’s political situation is not similar to the federal level as the state government is not a unity government but a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration.

With Sarawak Pakatan Harapan part of the opposition in the state assembly, Ung said, it is important that the coalition serve as a check and balance on the GPS government.

“We should not let Sarawak be governed absolutely by a single party, namely GPS. Political instability is not an issue in Sarawak, it’s the lack of check and balance. Without strong checks and balances, a government can become corrupt and arrogant.

“Therefore, it is necessary for PKR to take part in and celebrate democracy (by contesting in the) upcoming Jepak by-election,” he said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Sarawak PKR deputy chairman Abun Sui Anyit said the party decided not to field a candidate for the upcoming Jepak by-election following a leadership council meeting.

Abun later said the decision was made to maintain the unity federal government’s stability.

He said this was to return the goodwill shown by GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg, who showed support for PH’s candidates in the Aug 12 state elections in Peninsular Malaysia.

The Jepak by-election is being called following the death of its assemblyman, Talib Zulpilip, on Sept 15.