MIRI: Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) is attempting to change its strategy in Sarawak by contesting in non-Muslim majority areas.
The Islamic party will nominate its state commissioner Jofri Jaraiee to stand in the Chinese-majority seat of Pujut, while in the Iban-majority seats of Samalaju and Kakus, PAS will nominate Zharudin Narudin and Christian candidate Tuai Rumah Clement Bayang respectively.
In the last state election, PAS only contested in Muslim-majority seats, which are strongholds of Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
This time round, PAS will likely cause three- or four-cornered fights as the party will not only be contesting against BN but also its former allies from the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat coalition – Democratic Action Party (DAP) or Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) — or former PAS members who are now with Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).
Jofri said PAS is contesting in the state election to support democracy and ensure there are checks and balances in the state administration.
Also contesting for the party are Zainal Abidin Yepni (Pantai Damai), Yusof Ahmad Sharkawi (Samariang), Zulfipli Ramzi (Muara Tuang), Asan Sinkro (Sadong Jaya), Kiprawi Aman (Jepak), Hamidah Mokhtar (Beting Maro), Wan Abdillah (Sebuyau) and Arif Paijo (Lambir).