Discussions on seat allocation for Sarawak elections premature, says Tiong King Sing

SIBU: Discussions on seat allocations for the upcoming Sarawak election are premature, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president urged political leaders and the media to avoid stirring unnecessary debate that could distract from the primary focus of serving the people.

In recent weeks, there have been media reports about political parties and factions positioning themselves for specific constituencies.

However, Tiong emphasised that prioritising winnable candidates and voter acceptance should take precedence over early seat discussions.

“It is simply too early to discuss seat allocations at this stage openly. What matters most is whether voters accept the candidates and can deliver effective results,” Tiong said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 1).

He further added that ongoing speculation about seat allocations could potentially undermine the “Sarawak First” principle, championed by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the coalition that PDP is part of.

According to Tiong, decisions on which party will contest in each constituency will only be made “when the time is right” and will be based on factors such as the quality of service offered by potential candidates and their chances of winning.

“Our party’s vice-president, Datuk Henry Jinep, has reaffirmed our commitment to the GPS spirit of putting Sarawak first. We must maintain a high standard of service to the people and the final decision will rest with the top leadership of GPS,” Tiong added.

Tiong also urged PDP leaders, including Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa, to focus on their responsibilities, instead of being distracted by rumours about seat allocations.

Tiong stressed that “The people of Sarawak are watching” and will judge who is truly committed to serving them and leading the state towards progress.

“For now, we must concentrate on service and let the rest be decided when the time comes,” he concluded.