Will Sarawak Election 2026 see several rural seats uncontested?
This is a highly possible scenario, particularly for rural seats held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, owing to a lack of strong local opposition and issues.
During the Sarawak Election 2021, out of the total 82 seats, local opposition Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) contested the highest number, fielding candidates in 73 constituencies. Despite considerable efforts and aspirations to challenge the GPS government, the party walked away empty-handed.
When contacted, PBK president Voon Lee Shan stated that the party has yet to decide whether to participate in the upcoming election, citing the lack of inspiration. To him, contesting in the upcoming Sarawak election takes a secondary priority, with their primary objective remaining unchanged: to achieve Sarawak’s independence.
