“It looks like there is now hope for Sarawak,” read a text message from a KL-based senior bank manager, a Lun Bawang, following PAS’ victory in the Kuala Terengganu by-election.
This was the second by-election victory for Pakatan Rakyat after the March 2008 general elections, confirming waning support for the ruling coalition.
The Orang Ulu bank manager was referring to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign to wrest control of Sarawak from BN in the next state elections due at the latest by 2011.
He said: “The KT results confirmed for the second time, after Permatang Pauh, that the wind of change that swept the country on March, 2008 is real and here to stay.”
“In fact it is gathering strength instead of dying out as BN would hope!”
He added: “To the Sarawakians it says the moment of truth is now. It’s time the voters show (Chief Minister Abdul) Taib Mahmud the final curtain.”
There has been talk that the long-serving chief minister may call the state elections earlier. Although he has publicly ruled out elections this year, many believe it will be held to pave the way for his son Sulaiman, 39, the Samarahan MP and deputy tourism minister, to eventually take over from him.
‘Change in the making’
Almost without any exception, Sarawak PKR leaders and supporters said the Kuala Terengganu by-election results would be a big morale booster for Pakatan Rakyat.
In its major roadshows so far in places like Kuching, Sibu and Miri, PKR has proclaimed that ‘Change We Can’ and ‘Change is in the Making’.
Sarawak has 71 state assembly seats, of which eight are in the hands of the opposition (DAP 6, PKR 2) and one Independent (pro-BN).
Senior leaders of state BN component parties Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) have already warned their colleagues to take the threat from Pakatan Rakyat seriously.
Even within Taib’s own Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) some senior leaders have told the chief minister not to take the threat from PKR lightly.
But Taib doesn’t seem perturbed, said several political observers.
PKR has already penetrated far and deep into Dayak areas which represent a total of 28 state seats while DAP’s support among the Chinese, especially in urban centres, is growing.
DAP eyes Chinese majority areas
There are 17 Chinese majority and mixed state constituencies, most of which are likely to be contested by DAP with a few going to PKR’s Chinese candidates.
The Malay/Melanau areas with a total of 25 state seats would prove to be a tough nut to crack. Taib’s PBB has a strong hold on these seats.
But the vulnerable ones are said to be in and around Kuching - Simunjan, Gedong, (Saribas, Sadong Jaya) and Sibu - because of local issues and problems.
In the last state elections, PAS lost narrowly in one of the Malay seats in the Simunjan (Beting Maru under Batang Lupar Parlimentary) area.
A combined Pakatan Rakyat campaign could have a significant impact.
If the Pakatan Rakyat wins in Pensiangan (a by-election will be held if PBRS leader Joseph Kurup loses his appeal), that would further confirm a swing among the rural constituents towards the opposition and spell big trouble for Sabah BN in the next general elections as well.
In Sarawak, the opposition has played up various issues to great effect. This includes the growing disquiet over land issues Taib’s leadership, the wealth of top politicians in the state, cronyism, nepotism, corruption and marginalisation of various groups in business, the civil service and other economic opportunities.
PKR would continue with its roadshows ahead of the state elections and bring in their bigwigs, including the chief minister and mentris besar, to meet the locals.
Thousands had flocked the dinner gatherings in Kuching, Sibu and Miri to listen to Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.
Other road shows will be held in major towns in Sarawak with seminars in between to prepare party members for election work.
A senior party leader told Malaysiakini that they will expose their potential candidates at such gatherings and seminars to the grassroots.
“We believe the state elections could be held this year and so we must be prepared,” he added.
KT is not a benchmark
In a related development, Taib said results of the Kuala Terengganu by-election should not be used as a benchmark in any election, including the Sarawak election due in 2011.
The chief minister, who is also Sarawak BN chairperson, said it was not easy to make general recommendations from one event, including the need to rebrand BN to win the hearts and minds of the people.
“There is no such thing as a benchmark in any election and, judging by the results, although BN lost, the votes for BN were quite high in spite of the fact that many people tell me that the candidate was not well chosen or popular among the electorate,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Source Malaysiakini
Posts
