The next Sarawak state election due to be held by June 2021 will be an uphill challenge for the DAP, according to party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

The Borneo Post quoted Lim, who is also finance minister, as saying that this was because regionalism in Sarawak remains high and it is pertinent for the federal government to bring development to the state.

"We need to make Sarawakians feel that the Pakatan Harapan government cares for them, that they are part of the country’s mainstream development, and bring them the development that they deserve," he said in a recent interview with The Borneo Post’s sister paper Oriental Daily.

Quizzed on whether Harapan's yet to be fulfilled promise on recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) would affect its chances in the state polls, Lim insisted that all promises made would be fulfilled in due time.

"Leaders of the DAP never make promises that they cannot fulfil. What we are dealing with now is the country’s financial issues and huge debt left behind by the former administration.

"But when it comes to our election promises, we will fulfil, just that it will take time," he reportedly said.

Lim further said it would be useless for the government to harp on rhetorics of change without tangible impact for the people.

"The Harapan government has done better than the previous government in almost all aspects,” he added.