Election Guide to Sarawak

In the interests of providing our readers with background on the upcoming Sarawak elections, here is a brief guide to the participating political parties.
Sarawak Barisan Nasional
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)
SUPP was established in 1959 by Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui and Tan Sri Stephen Yong. The party was one of the key movers in the formation of Barisan Nasional in 1974. In the 2006 state election, SUPP won 12 state seats as part of BN.


Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB)
PBB was registered in 1973 with the merger of Parti Pesaka, Malay-based Barisan Ra’ayat Jati Sarawak (Berjasa) and Parti Negara Sarawak (Panas). It is the largest component of Barisan Nasional. In the 2006 state election, it contested 35 seats and won all.



Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
SPDP was formed by former leaders of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) when it was de-registered on November 5, 2002. SPDP was registered on November 8, 2002. In January of the next year, it was accepted as a component of BN. In the 2006 state election, it won eight seats.


Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
PRS is an offshoot of the de-registered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak. It joined BN in June 2005. In the 2006 state elections, it won eight seats.



Opposition Parties


Sarawak National Party (SNAP)
SNAP is an Iban-based party with some Chinese support. The party was formed in 1961 by the late Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan (Sarawak’s first chief minister). It was part of the coalition government ruling Sarawak when the state joined Malaysia. In 1966, SNAP became an opposition party. It rejoined BN in 1976. In the 2006 state election, it did not win any seats.


Democratic Action Party (DAP)
Sarawak DAP is the state level party of the peninsula-based party, which is primarily supported by Malaysian Chinese. In the 2006 state election, it won six seats.



Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)
Sarawak PKR is the state-level party of the peninsula-based party. In the 2006 state election, it won one seat, with the election of Dominique Ng. But surprisingly, Ng has not been chosen to defend his seat in the 2011 elections.

Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM)
PCM was formed in 2009. Its members include former Gerakan vice president and member of parliament Huan Cheng Guan and Gabriel Adit Demong.

State Reform Party (Star)
Star was established in 1996 by Dr Patau Rubis after his sacking from the Sarawak cabinet in October 1995. It did not contest in the 2006 state election.


Source: http://www.sarawakreports.org/2011/04/04/election-guide-to-sarawak/