GPS and PSB flags are seen flying at one of road junctions in Mambong constituency.
KUCHING (June 19): The war of the political flags has started in Mambong although the state election may only be held after August when the Emergency Order is lifted.
Hundreds of flags representing mostly the ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) can be seen at road junctions along Jalan Puncak Borneo.
Many have wondered if the flags should be displayed before the campaigning period even begins is legal or otherwise.
When contacted, the Election Commission (EC), said they could take any action now as the acts (putting up the flags) did not violate any provision under the Electoral Offences Act 1954.
Its head of Corporate and Communication Unit Mohammad Azlan Charles Abdullah said the displaying of political flags before the campaigning period began was not an offence under the Electoral Offences Act 1954 (Act 5).
He said the Act only applied during an election and therefore, political parties did not commit any offence stipulated under it.
“Nevertheless, putting up political flags at road junctions and roadsides prior to the official announcement of an election may be against the rules under the local councils.
“Political parties should refer to and comply with any regulations imposed by the councils, if necessary,” he said.
Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) Lo Khere Chiang also said they would not take any action against any political parties putting up flags at this time since it did not contravene the Electoral Offences Act.
“I would, however, advise that the putting up of flags should not cause any inconveniences to road users or block driver’s view,” he said.
A multi-cornered fight is expected in Mambong in the coming state election.
Apart from GPS and PSB, other political parties that have expressed their intention to join the fray are Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).
GPS is likely to renominate Datuk Dr Jerip Susil to defend the seat while PSB’s potential candidate for Mambong is practising lawyer Sanjan Daik.
DAP will field businessman Chang Hon Hiung, 57, from Siburan. Chang is said to have been on the ground ever since DAP decided to contest Mambong in the last state election, helping to campaign for the candidate mainly in the Chinese areas.
PPK president Voon Lee Shan said they would field a candidate in Mambong, but declined to reveal the name of its potential candidate.
Mambong saw a three-cornered fight in the last state election, which was won by Dr Jerip Susil by 3,333-vote majority, defeating Sanjan from DAP and Willie Mongin of Part Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).