Sarawak Shocker

[Jose Mourinho]

In The Star this morning (21.5.2006)

KUCHING: A Barisan Nasional wish for a clean sweep in the ninth Sarawak state elections ended in shock for the coalition, which lost eight seats to the Opposition and one seat to an Independent.

It was the best performance by the Opposition in the state which also saw an increase in the popular votes for it.

Having won two of the 71 seats unopposed on nomination day, the four-party state coalition led by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud found itself boxed in the Chinese majority constituencies in Sibu and Kuching.

Suffering the severest blow was the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), which lost eight of the 19 seats it contested. It lost six to the DAP and one each to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the Sarawak National Party (SNAP).

The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party lost one seat to an Independent.

The seats lost to the DAP were Bukit Assek, Meradong, Kidurong, Pending, Batu Lintang and Kota Sentosa.

SNAP took the Dayak majority seat of Engkilili.

PKR made a breakthrough by taking the Padungan seat.

Among the biggest casualties was SUPP secretary-general and Assistant Minister of Culture and Urbanisation, Datuk Sim Kheng Hui. He lost the Pending seat to the DAP's Violet Yong Wui Wui.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office, Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi of the SUPP lost to DAP's Chong Chieng Jen.

Another casualty was SUPP vice-president Lily Yong Lee Lee who lost the Padungan seat to Dominique Ng Kim Ho of PKR.

At his Demak Jaya house where state Barisan leaders were gathered, Taib said he did not know why, but added betting could be a factor.

Taib said he was disturbed with the defeat faced by SUPP, which was the second strongest party in the coalition.

“Although SUPP had been dealt a severe blow, one defeat did not mean the end of politics. SUPP needs to think of ways to strengthen party and get the support of all the communities,” he told reporters.

On PKR's win, Taib said it did not mean that the party was making inroads into Sarawak.

A visibly upset SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan said he had called for a meeting today to analyse the party's performance.

“We want to know why we lost. We want the rakyat to tell us why they are so unhappy and why the Barisan lost so badly in Chinese areas.

................

Wind of Change to start from Sarawak? Perhaps so. It is also very interesting to note that in the some of the key seats BN-SUPP managed to win, they won by very slim majorities:

Repok: BN-SUPP won by 576 majority
Dudong: BN-SUPP won by 408 majority
Pelawan: BN-SUPP won by 263 majority

[Jose Mourinho]

PM Abdullah was quoted by The Star as saying "why did we lose the seats in the urban areas?" when speaking to DPM Najib during an eight-minute teleconferencing session telecast at Wisma TV in Angkasapuri yesterday. Najib was quoted as noting that areas which BN has lost to the opposition were Chinese-majority areas while the opposition could not easily sway the Malay voters.

What sort of question is that? And what sort of answer is that?

[Joe Gomez]

What sort of leaders do we have ?? :mad:

[simon_tan]

Congratulations to the people of Sarawak. Let's all work together to bringing back a more balanced government.

[Joe Gomez]

Congratulations to the people of Sarawak. Let's all work together to bringing back a more balanced government.But is it not annoying >>>>> the "katak di bawah tempurung" mindset of the leader and his heir apparent ????
Do they honestly believe that all Malays love them ???

[simon_tan]

Don't know the answer to that. In any case, must raise awareness to as many citizens to register as a voter, and participate by voting. When this happens, questions like those may be reduced to back room wispers, unlike now when it happens blatently.

[Jose Mourinho]

The Opposition won the urban areas with large population.

Padungan (90.45% Chinese) Dominic Ng Kim Ho of PKR won by 1417 majority over BN-SUPP's Vice-President, Lily Yong.

Pending (90.45% Chinese) Violet Yong Wui Wui of DAP won by 4372 majority over BN-SUPP's Datuk Sim Kheng Hui (I believe who has been there for 3 terms)

Batu Lintang (84.47% Chinese) Voon Lee Shan of DAP won by 3407 majority over BN-SUPP's Chan Seng Khai.

Kota Sentosa (77.15% Chinese) Chong Chieng Jen of DAP won by 531 votes over BN-SUPP's Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi.

Meradong (60.11% Chinese) Ting Tze Hui of DAP won by 3578 votes over BN-SUPP;s Ting Tze Hui.

Bukit Asset (94.95% Chinese) Wong Ho Leng of DAP won by 4751 votes over BN-SUPP's Daniel Ngieng Kiong Ann.

Kidurong (50.69% Chinese) Chiew Chiu Sing of DAP won by 1664 votes over BN-SUPP's Paul Yong Khing Kee.

[jasonbhlee]

The signals were already there. BN was just trying to tutup mata....that's what they have been doing all this while. Sarawakians have shown the way. Bn always takes the mosquito seats while the monster's seats goes to opposition. From the analysis of yesterday's election, Opposition ganered 38% of the popular votes , however they won only 12% of the seats contested. BN will again try to subdivide the rural areas yet again....

[Jose Mourinho]

Meradong (60.11% Chinese) Ting Tze Hui of DAP won by 3578 votes over BN-SUPP;s Ting Tze Hui. The DAP candidate is a young law graduate at 24, dubbed the cili padi of the state election, she gathered 5990 votes.

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

From The Star today (21.5.2006)

KUCHING: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) suffered a severe blow when it lost eight of the 19 seats contested.

The 47-year-old party lost six seats to the DAP and one each to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKS) and the Sarawak National Party (SNAP).

PKS and SNAP are members of Barisan Bersatu Sarawak – the state opposition alliance.

Among the SUPP strongmen who fell were two state assistant ministers – Datuk Sim Kheng Hui (secretary-general) and Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi (publicity and information secretary).

DAP newcomer Violet Yong created a major upset, unseating Sim in Pending, which he had represented for three years.

Yap, known for his strong grassroots support, was defeated by DAP's Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chien Jen in the new Kota Sentosa seat.

Incumbent Chan Seng Khai, also City South mayor, lost to DAP’s Voon Lee Shan in the rematch in Batu Lintang. They last fought in the 2001 polls.

SUPP vice-president Lily Yong Lee Lee failed to retain the Padungan seat, being ousted by PKS’ Dominic Ng Kim Ho.

The SUPP won only one of the five Chinese-majority seats in Kuching – first-timer Tan Joo Phoiwon in the Batu Kawa seat after beating PKR’s Wong Huang Yu.

In Bukit Assek, Sibu, SUPP incumbent Daniel Ngieng Kion Ann was thrashed by Sarawak DAP chairman Richard Wong Ho Leng.

It was sweet revenge for Ho Leng, who was unseated by Ngieng in the 2001 polls.

The other SUPP defeats were in Kidurong (Bintulu) and Meradong (Bintangor), also Chinese-predominant seats, and Iban-majority Engkilili (Sri Aman.)

Sim, who took the defeat calmly, said the party would conduct a post mortem to find out why it had lost so badly. “We know the opposition is good in stirring up the sentiments of the people. We have to investigate whether our loss might be due to internal problems or other factors,” he said after conceding defeat at the City South Council building. "Let's see what type of services the DAP can give,” he added.

Lily said the defeat was a lesson for the party and “we have to examine ourselves. It is the choice of the people and we cannot blame them.”

An overjoyed Ng, a lawyer contesting the seat for the third time, quipped: “It is third-time lucky.”

Ng said this was the first time that the opposition had won so many Chinese-majority seats in the state capital.

......................

I highlighted Datuk Sim Kheng Hui's (Secretary-General of BN-SUPP) comment. It is comments like this which infuriate voters even more. As long as there are arrogant people such as him, who thinks that voters are stupid people, then the Opposition has a real chance in future elections. He lost by a 4372 majority and he is still recalcitrant.

[Voter]

I have prayed that God will raise people of honesty, integrity and people oriented personnel to enter the Assembly. Let us continue to pray that those who are now elected will be God fearing and will serve their term according to God's Will.

I think it was not only the flooding, the fuel price etc problems which swung the votes against BN; rather the apparent lurk warm action to fighting injustice and corruption that prompted voters to send opposition ADUNs to perform some check and balance in the Assembly. The Penang Forumn, the "Close-One-Eye" episode, the over logging/unjustified developments causing floods, the pollution and environmental issues etc are some of the prompters. It would appear that most of the time political consideration has taken the upper hand over the real needs of the general population. It so happens that urban voters may be more matured in their thinking and wishing to bring about check and balance; hence most of the seats won by the Oppositions are urban seats. SUPP is perhaps in this case a victim of circumstances. Rural voters are more concerned about their daily life, having basic necessities etc.

May God bless Malaysia that with check and balance we will see a more balanced society.

[wira wan]

When they win, ........"The rakyat voted for us, because we can bring development"

When they lose,........"I blame the other people for not voting for us"

Crap.

[aurora97]

Meradong (60.11% Chinese) Ting Tze Hui of DAP won by 3578 votes over BN-SUPP;s Ting Tze Hui. The DAP candidate is a young law graduate at 24, dubbed the cili padi of the state election, she gathered 5990 votes.

:)

Congratulations to Ms. Ting after shocking Sarawak polls, hope she makes parliament tremble as well!

[cskok8]

So it looks like the voters have not "voted wisely" and had been "hoodwinked" by the "opposition's lies". :D

Somebody idiot even blamed the recent redelineation of constituencies and the resultant increase in the number of seats. I thought all that had been done to ensure a BN clean sweep (ala "Pembangkang Sifar in our developed state)

[Jose Mourinho]

Congratulations to Ms. Ting after shocking Sarawak polls, hope she makes parliament tremble as well!

Sorry Aurora. This is Sarawak State Assembly and not Parliament (yet). The State Assembly debates are actually quite 'civilized'. Unlike Parliament where even the BN women MPs are at the tail-end of sexist jokes and narratives (I remember one about MAS stewardess and such likes etc) by some of their male colleagues. Absolutely disgusting behaviour.

:mad:

[bugbear]

I am frankly over the moon with the sarawak election result. This just the litmus test as to the people's sentiment. :D

[jasonbhlee]

After scalping SUPP, who's next? As long as BN keeps enforcing unfair policy on the non bumis, and parties like MCA, MIC and Gerakan keeps mum, then you will know who the voters will vent their anger on. BN may still get their 2/3 majority as they have made sufficient seats in the rural areas to rnsure that. They dare not break up urban seats like Bukit Bintang or Cheras into smaller constituency but find it appropriate to make smaller seats in the kampungs...speaks tons of their capability to get support from urbanites. As long as they have people like those from Jasin and that guy from Kedah (what's his name?) in Parliament.....the next victim will be MCA. But I hope Keadilan will rise to the occasion too in Peninsular.

[Jose Mourinho]

Jason. You may be right about the futures of MCA, Gerakan and MIC.

In my view, it is not the so-called 'unfair policies to the non-bumi' because strangely enough for Sarawak, there has never been any racial disagreement or tension. In Sarawak, there are no such thing as the bumis and the non-bumis. Whatever advantages given to the bumis have always been accepted. But in this election, there have been huge discontent bordering on fury on the subject of corruption and the perception that the clean and efficient government promised to them (the Sarawakians did return PM Abdullah with a thumping white-wash over DAP and other opposition parties when he sought for it) and they were very unhappy about the rise of petrol - basing their claims on the fact that the offshore of Sarawak has the richest oil-fields in the country.

It is also my view that BN made a fiasco when they sent in leaders from MCA and Gerakan (did the Jasin MP go along as well?) to Kuching and with them holding hands to show solidarity and marching on the streets. Sarawakians are a strange and proud lot. They call a spade a spade. If there is one thing which they would never welcome, it is political parties from Peninsular 'interfering' with what they proudly view, as their own state politics.

I welcome other views.

[bobkee]

One observation, this is the first time a peninsular based political party has been able to create a toehold in Sarawak for over 20 years. The honours go to DAP for being the first to break the stranglehold over 2 decades ago .. now the "irrelevant" party managed to be the second :)

[Jose Mourinho]

One observation, this is the first time a peninsular based political party has been able to create a toehold in Sarawak for over 20 years. The honours go to DAP for being the first :)

Bob. DAP is no longer considered as a peninsular based political party by Sarawakians. It has been around for a long time and it has its 'regional heads' headed by very capable Sarawakians ever since the early 1980s when Ling See Ming thrashed the incumbant Dr Wong Soon Kai. In fact, the then PM of Malaysia, Dr Mathathir was so confident of Dr Wong Soon Kai of SUPP winning, he has left vacant the Minister of Health position in KL vacant for him to take up. DAP in Sarawak has been under the capable leadership of Wong Ho Leng - a lawyer, for many years. During election campaigns in the late 1980s, Lim Kit Siang went there and was booed off the stage. Then they have to put Wong Ho Leng back on stage. That was a fact.

Don't let Sarawakians hear about 'a peninsular based political party has been able to create a toehold in Sarawak'. You may reverse their voting pattern in the next election.

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

Further to what I have mentioned about DAP is no longer considered a peninsular-based political party, it is a blessing and we have to be thankful that Sarawakians have accepted DAP as a Chinese-based party and at that only. I did mention about Sarawakians not welcoming political parties from peninsular into its state. Here is an extract from The Star today, dated 21.5.2006:


“It was my first outing (as president of the PRS) and I had wanted a perfect score,” said Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing. “Instead I lost one seat.” The irony of Barisan's rejection by townsfolk was not lost on coalition leaders. “I think we have to re-strategise our development programmes,” said Masing. The biggest blessing for Sarawak rests in the PBB itself. “For as long as the PBB does well, Umno will not disturb the rest of us,” said Masing. “Since PBB is Malay, and Umno is Malay, Umno will not try to come to Sarawak".

And thus, it is my view and fervent wish that DAP must never be considered (not even in whispers or in our sleep) as a peninsular-based political party.

[Jose Mourinho]

From Bernama (21.5.2006)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in congratulating the BN for winning a two-thirds majority, called for a post-mortem on the defeats in the seven urban and two rural constituencies.

"We have to study why the opposition won quite a number of urban seats. We have to make a thorough analysis," he said in a tele-conference with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur from Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt where he is attending the World Economic Conference.

Despite retaining his Piasau seat in Miri, a grim-looking SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan described the party's losses as "something very serious".

Besides Padungan, the party lost in Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa and Pending, all in the state capital, Meradong and Bukit Assek and the two rural seats of Engkilili and Kidurong.

Chan, a medical doctor who took over the party's leadership in 1996, said he was taken aback by the result as no one in the party had expected to lose this badly in a single election.

"Everybody is asking me what really happened. I really don't know what to say. Since I took over, we have done well. I really don't know why (this time our performance is bad). What I can say is that this is the worst and most disastrous ever result for the SUPP," he added.

He said that from his initial observation, it looked like there was a protest vote from the predominantly Chinese constituencies and this explained why the party lost so badly in the seats in Kuching and the central region of Sarawak -- Sibu and Bintangor.

"The party is calling an emergency meeting tomorrow to conduct a post-mortem and analysis as to what actually happened. We have not done well this time and this is something that is very serious.

"We would like to see what we have not done correctly or what the people want us to do. Maybe, we have not actually realised what is wanted of us," said the mild-mannered politician whose party is used to having things going its way for a long time.

Two of the SUPP casualties are state assistant ministers, Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi and Datuk Sim Kheng Hui, who is also party secretary-general.

[bobkee]

Quite true, Jose. But it is still quite an upset for Sarawak BN. And perhaps it's an indication of the slow development of a national consciousness at the expense of regional and ethnic consciousness.

Something worth developing, no?

[Jose Mourinho]

Quite true, Jose. But it is still quite an upset for Sarawak BN. And perhaps it's an indication of the slow development of a national consciousness at the expense of regional and ethnic consciousness. Something worth developing, no?

Bob. I agree with you. It is definitely worth developing but I do not think we would see it in our lifetime (well, mine anyway as I am old). It has taken 26 years for DAP to be considered and accepted as a Chinese party which is an alternative to SUPP. Development of national consciousness takes two hands to clap. And thus big brother over here has to take the initiative and above all, show and prove their trustworthiness.

[bobkee]

Heh .. good observations :)

No harm having some wishful thinking (and maybe some action taken with that goal in mind) on my part, eh? ;)

[jasonbhlee]

Very often when Opposition wins, we always says it is due to protest votes from the people. But this time round I have a feeling that DAP won big because of their outstanding performance in Parliament, their good attendance and the issues brought up by them. We must give credit to Kit Siang, Teresa Kok, Kulasegeran, Po Kuan and all the other DAP MP's and state Assemblyman.
Don't forget that the Badawi Administration screw up on several issues just before the sarawak election. This is no so much about local politics, voters are now more intelligent and can smell a fart miles away.....
BN can blame it on gambling and najib even had the cheek to say the increased in opposition seats was due to the new seats created. Mind you, out of the 8 new seats created, DAP won only 1 but BN won 7.....so who was the real beneficiaries......Najib is just looking for excuses. You can fooled your comrades...but you can't fool the urbanites!

[Jose Mourinho]

But this time round I have a feeling that DAP won big because of their outstanding performance in Parliament, their good attendance and the issues brought up by them. We must give credit to Kit Siang, Teresa Kok, Kulasegeran, Po Kuan and all the other DAP MP's and state Assemblyman.

Jason. You have your points but I beg to differ. This is the Sarawak State Assembly Election and more often than not it is quite segregated from Parliament. Most Sarawakians do not give a damn what happens in Parliament let along whether Lim Kit Siang or Teresa Kok's attendance is good or not. In a State Assembly Election and because the state is so separated by the South China Sea but more so because historically Sarawak and Sabah have little in common with the states in Peninsular Malaysia, politics at state level is usually very communal.

As I have explained in a few of my posts. They booed Lim Kit Siang off the stage. DAP Sarawak is DAP Sarawak. Lim Kit Siang has been very smart enough to sit quietly (imagine him keeping quiet) without even opening his mouth until he was invited to talk for less than 5 minutes at every session in which he was invited to attend. Probably apart from Lim Kit Siang, Lim Eng Guan and Karpal Singh, the voters voting DAP candidates in would not even know who the other other DAP MPs in Peninsular Malaysia are. They also don't care.

:)

[jasonbhlee]

Jose, I believe that was only your opinion. If you have read Teng Chang Khim's blog or sarawak Talk......issues like the 'close one eye' incident, corruption, etc do affect the voting trend. About LKS asked to shut up....probably that was years ago.........Teng was asked to speak for almost 2 hours and they didn't want him to stop....

[citrus]

Please pay a visit to this forum :

http://sarawakelection2006.wordpress.com/

Perhaps, by reading the comments, it would help 'ouang Malaya' have a better understanding of Sarawakians sentiments and opinions regarding the present government and BN leaders.

[Boink]

I hope in the next year or so when its our turn for elections, we have a more balanced parliment. Its always good to have a watchdog. And tha last elections, there is a real lack of it.

Heck, as cronic as our opositions sounds when he stands and speaks, you got to take your hat off to that old man. kekekekeke.

[starrytwinklin]

Got this from www.sarawaktalk.com

Q. why supp lost big?

Posted by A. because taib wants it. on May 21, 2006 at 06:09:19:

1. supp have always been given the toughest areas - mostly chinese-majority seats.

2. taib actively sabotaged supp campaign by naming candidates that will either (i)loss or (ii)cause in-fighthing in the party.

3. taib's position is being challanged, before the election, supp was in the strongest position in sarawak. that won't be allowed to go on.

4. cabinets positions and development funds are given to supp to make sure there are not enough to satisfy everyone. to ensure the different areas and factions will continue to fight each other instead of for each other.

5. supp can ask for money but it can't make noise. it's just a matter of time before the people, esp the educated ones - mostly in supp's area, say there is more to electing a representative than development.

before the election, supp was a strong no.2 in sarawak. we should all know by now that in politics, no.2 is a very dangerous position.

so, who is the biggest loser in this election? supp.

but who's the biggest winner in this election? dap? no lah.

the biggest winner is taib. and his cronies. everything went according to plan.

Give it a thought! Politics is politics. It always not the way you see it...

[Sentinel]

Why do people want to do a post-mortem and find out why they lose so many seats in the Sarawak election? Aren't the answers so obvious?

Pak Lah asked Najib why there was a strong swing in urban areas to the opposition? Well Pak Lah, people in the urban areas are relatively more educated and more aware and so they do not want corruption and corrupted politicians in the State Assemby, that means all the types like the Jasin MPs can pack their bags and concentrate on their businesses....

The rural folks and those living in longhouse community still need the seedlings, the bajas, the water & electricity supply, from the government so they voted for you. Not because they believe you are better but because you hold the warehouse keys... :D

Oh so much joy all along the Rejang! :D This is one happy day for Sarawakians. Well Pek More (white-haired Taib), time to say bye-bye too.... :D

[Sentinel]

the biggest winner is taib. and his cronies. everything went according to plan.

Give it a thought! Politics is politics. It always not the way you see it...

Well startwinklin, I beg to differ. Taib Mahmood will not want to win big if it means having to have 9 opposition members in the State Aseembly, no way. This will not only weaken him but will continue to be seen as a massive loss of the people's support in the entire state of Sarawak. Moreover, George Chan's daughter married his son, Sulaiman Taib (of the RHB Bank fame) and so they are both in-laws.....

Lets face it, the people in the urban areas can 'see' the rot and the corruption and they weren't getting a fair share of the smallest of contracts which were alleged to have all gone to either of the in-law's cronies...

I just hope this "winds of change" continue to blow come the General Elections in Peninsula Malaysia. Its about time the likes of the Jasin MPs etc be told the truth.... :mad:

[Jose Mourinho]

Jose, I believe that was only your opinion. If you have read Teng Chang Khim's blog or sarawak Talk......issues like the 'close one eye' incident, corruption, etc do affect the voting trend. About LKS asked to shut up....probably that was years ago.........Teng was asked to speak for almost 2 hours and they didn't want him to stop....

It is more than just my opinions.

I was trying to give hints on how to get DAP and other opposition parties to do even better in Sarawak. You have to view it from a Sarawakian viewpoint. Those 25,000 voters in an urban area do not really care about what DAP does in Parliament or in Peninsular Malaysia. It is the same in that people in KL and Klang Valley do not even know who the state ministers in Sarawak are even when some of them have been there for 15 years. If the Opposition is going to go into Sarawak with the attitude (very often perceived than anything else) that it is a peninsular-based political party and we will show you how we do things over here in the big city, it will be shown to the door when SUPP plays up to the sentiment of only a Sarawak party knows best how to take care of its own Sarawakians. It only requires some wrong signals to overturn the apple cart.

I welcome your views.

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

Before the election, supp was a strong no.2 in sarawak. we should all know by now that in politics, no.2 is a very dangerous position. so, who is the biggest loser in this election? supp. but who's the biggest winner in this election? dap? no lah. the biggest winner is taib. and his cronies. everything went according to plan. Give it a thought! Politics is politics. It always not the way you see it...

I disagree. SUPP is the only Chinese political party in the Sarawak BN. The Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud will not see it destroyed unless he has another Chinese political party ready to take its place. If he hasn't, then he and his PBB can be prepared to see all the urban seats going to the Opposition at every election. Taib Mahmud is also linked to George Chan, his deputy, by marriages of their son and daughter. Unless something very concrete is built on DAP's victories, the votes will swing in the next election. Taib Mahmud needs SUPP. His greatest worry is to to keep UMNO out of Sarawak.

[Jose Mourinho]

From Bernama (15 May 2006)

Zam Finds People Of Sarawak Yearning For Continuity

KUCHING, May 15 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin, having concluded a four-day road trip of over 800km from Miri to Kuching to help in the Sarawak state election campaign, said Monday he was convinced that the people of Sarawak want the Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue to be in power in the state.

He said he arrived at the conclusion based on the feedback he had received along the way from the people of all communities who expressed their thanks and gratitude to Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his leadership that had brought about a change for the better in their lives.

"The change was visible, with dilapidated longhouses having given way to concrete structures with tiled floors and having facilities such as the television and air-conditioner," he told reporters at the Kuching international airport before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

Zainuddin also said that the people should be wary of those who could attempt to talk them into staying away from the polls on Saturday in the ninth Sarawak state election.

He said these people were irresponsible elements and described them as "very dangerous".

These elements were trying to trick the people into thinking that the BN could win seats even without them casting their votes, he said.

As such, the voters must exercise their right to vote even when they had already decided that the BN should continue to be in power, he added.

Zainuddin said he hoped that the people of Sarawak would use the state election to send the message that disunity, particularly among the Iban, was only temporary.

He also said he hoped that the merger of two BN component parties, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), would take place soon after the election.

"This election will show greater ethnic unity and reject the elements who have come from Peninsular Malaysia with the intention of disuniting the people," he said.

Zainuddin said he hoped that the people of Sarawak would also send the message that they could bring an end to opposition parties such as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the DAP which he said had been rejected in the peninsula.

He also said that even the natives in the United States had not undergone a change for the better in their lives as much as that enjoyed by the natives in Sarawak.

"In fact, there are children of Sarawak natives who have successful careers, including as doctors," he added.

Earlier, when visiting the election coverage operations room of Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) here, Zainuddin expressed satisfaction with the preparation of RTM Sarawak to deliver news and information on the election fast and in an appealing manner.

.........................

With all due respect, that is exactly what I meant in my earlier posts on peninsular-based politicians who do not really understand what Sarawakians really want. Comment such as "In fact, there are children of Sarawak natives who have successful careers, including as doctors" and ""the change was visible, with dilapidated longhouses having given way to concrete structures with tiled floors and having facilities such as the television and air-conditioner" is an insult. He was quoted as saying that only BN and working closely with the Federal Government can bring progress. My only submission is that Sarawak became a part of Malaysia in 1963 (43 years ago) and we are still talking about the same issues - which are usually based on Fear Factor.

[starrytwinklin]

It was ‘Chinese revolt’ against SUPP

Posted by Repost on May 22, 2006 at 01:46:49:

KUCHING: When news broke out shortly after 6pm on Saturday that Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) candidates in four of the five Chinese-majority seats in the city were only leading by a slim majority, the mood became grim.

As more ballot boxes were opened, the Barisan Nasional candidates started trailing their opponents. Then, panic set in as the margin of votes widened.

The SUPP knew that things had gone very wrong as the winds of political change swept not only the state capital but also other urban Chinese seats in Sibu, Bintangor and Bintulu.

At the end of the day, SUPP lost seven Chinese seats and also the Iban-majority seat of Engkilili.

SUPP’s downfall in Pending, Padungan, Batu Lintang and Kota Sentosa (in Kuching) was completely unexpected unlike that in Bukit Assek (Sibu), Meradong (Bintangor) and Kidurong (Bintulu).

In the other SUPP strongholds in Miri, Sibu and Sarikei, the party managed to retain the seats but with a significantly reduced majority.

While some described the performance of the multi-racial party as a major upset, others called it a “Chinese revolt” against the party, which has championed the interests of the Chinese community.

“The majority of Chinese voters turned against the SUPP because of a combination of factors.

“Party leaders appeared to have lost the courage to stand up against the state Barisan's top leadership on various issues, like the extension of leases for residential and commercial land, and high lease renewal premiums that affected urban Chinese.

]“There is also a perception that some SUPP leaders had enriched themselves and failed to deliver what they had promised,” said a political analyst. [/I] Citing an example, he said the party had pledged in the 2004 parliamentary election that it would help relocate and rebuild the dilapidated Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No 2.

“But this has not been done,” he added.

Sarawak DAP chairman Richard Wong Ho Leng said the SUPP had failed miserably in “speaking out” for the people.

“The Chinese are not happy with the government in terms of some policies,” added Wong, who recaptured the Chinese-majority Bukit Assek seat with a 4,571-vote margin.

Last night, the SUPP central working committee’s held an emergency meeting at its headquarters here to discuss its performance.

“Party members must remain calm and stay united,” the party said in a brief statement issued after the meeting, which was chaired by president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.

On the defeat of eight SUPP candidates, the party said the polls would be remembered as one of the darkest days in its 47-year history.


I found that these are quite true..... Starrytwinklin

[sirgalahad2010]

Seems to me that Datuk Seri AI can't be too happy with the Sarawak state election results. His Parti Keadilan won only 1 seat.

It only goes to show that when it comes to the crunch, good old race-based politics will always call the shots in Malaysia.

And Pak Lah will now have to worry about the big urban centres in peninsular Malaysia swinging to the DAP in the next state and general elections. If not handled right, that could be a recipe for confrontational politics, especially if the MCA is perceived as not pulling its weight in west Malaysia!

It could be a rather ominous development, which the think tanks, analysts and foreign investors will be watching closely.

Will Pak Lah's style of non-confrontational, inclusive politics be a casualty if the DAP starts making waves in west Malaysia? :(

[jasonbhlee]

Sir, you are damn right that MCA will be the next casualty.

Of course several issues just before the Sarawak election provided the ammunition for the opposition, eg the Jasin case, voting without conscience, petrol price hike etc. They cleverly put off the electricity tariff increase until after this election otherwise PBB will also be out!
As long as the other component party heads of BN does not pull their weight, they will be seen as weak leaders. Our dear PM is a good man but just not made to be a PM. He needs to be meaner. Too slow for most people especially the urbanites. You can take your time when in the kampung, but when you are in the city, better walk 10km an hr instead of 3.

[bobkee]

Seems to me that Datuk Seri AI can't be too happy with the Sarawak state election results. His Parti Keadilan won only 1 seat.I think PKR people are actually quite happy about the result. Sarawak politics have mainly been dominated by regional parties and generally resistant to what is perceived as "orang Malaya" political parties. Even parties with national agendas and brand recognition like the DAP took at least a decade before they could win a single seat in Sarawak and 2 and a half decades after that to make themselves so widely acceptable to Sarawakian voters to gain the victory that they got this time around.

And this is not an indictment to their lack of relevance to Sarawakian politics. If anything, national agenda parties like DAP have always had relevant agendas.

PKR Sarawak is essentially very autonomous and almost completely Sarawakian in the rank and file; not to mention the other component parties of the Sarawak Solidarity Front like SNAP and MDC. To have breached the "regionalist" and "ethnic" agenda misappropriated by the Sarawak BN to perpetuate their grip on the state is quite an achievement and this fact is quite well appreciated. As I mentioned in an earlier reply to Jose, I hope that this is an indication that a national consciousness is being developed; albeit slowly; and a realisation that we need each other to progress as a nation despite our differences in ethnicities and cultures.

Then again, this is just my own opinion although one would be hard pressed to find folks who do not feel that Dominique Ng deserved to win and are very disappointed at Baru Bian's failure to win a seat.

[Jose Mourinho]

To have breached the "regionalist" and "ethnic" agenda misappropriated by the Sarawak BN to perpetuate their grip on the state is quite an achievement and this fact is quite well appreciated. As I mentioned in an earlier reply to Jose, I hope that this is an indication that a national consciousness is being developed; albeit slowly; and a realisation that we need each other to progress as a nation despite our differences in ethnicities and cultures.

Bob. I agree with your wish and dream. However my view is that we are still a long way from a national unified front.

DAP Sarawak has a regional agenda based very much on communal politics when contesting in Sarawak. Sarawakians do not see the big picture (not because they are not capable of doing so but simply because it doesn't interest them at all) of national consciousness and unity. DAP Sarawak is very much considered as an alternative Chinese party to the Chinese voters in the urban areas. They are also aware that even if they have voted DAP in with the 12 seats they contested, it would still fall drastically short of the grip of Taib Mahmud's PBB which contested for 35 seats and they have always won all the seats (proven true again this time). It was a cat and mouse game. The voters did not want BN-Sarawak to have a clean sweep but they made sure that they have done enough not to let UMNO into Sarawak.

Opposition PKR has done well with its single seat but it will take a very long time for it to be accepted because frankly, I do not see how it would fit into the political mine-field of Sarawak. I will be naive for a moment and agree that it represents all races. But politics in Sarawak has been clearly lineared along racial lines right from 1963. The Chinese have BN-SUPP or DAP. The Malays have PBB with the 35 seats. The Ibans have their own PRS, SPDP or SNAP. Where does PKR fit in?

I welcome views.

[Jose Mourinho]

Now you can see what BN lost so many seats in Sarawak.....Dumb and Dumber.

In The Star today (22.5.2006):

Something is Amiss, says PM

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt): Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had sensed, even before the Sarawak state elections on Saturday, that the Barisan Nasional would be losing several seats.

“I sensed there was something amiss,” he told Malaysian journalists here but added that he did not want to talk about it publicly.

“I can't explain my feelings to the public but I will say them to Tan Sri Taib (Abdul Taib Mahmud),” the Prime Minister said, before departing for Japan yesterday after attending the World Economic Forum here.

The ruling party tumbled in nine of the 71 seats it had contested in the just-completed polls. Six of the seats went to the DAP, while one each went to the Sarawak National Party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and an Independent.

With its more than two-third majority, the Barisan is in a formidable position to form the state government.

The Prime Minister said because he had expected the Barisan to lose several seats, he was not surprised by the results.

“I don't want to say this, but I had anticipated that. Something was not right, something was quite wrong,” said Abdullah, who is also Barisan chairman.

He said he had directed his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, to carry out a post mortem on the results.

“The fact that we lost nine seats is something that needed to be thoroughly studied. If there is a message, then what is the message?”

Abdullah said Barisan needed to find out the reason why the people had rejected the coalition in many areas.

“We need to know why the result, this time around, appeared as if the people were not for the Government.”

......

In Bernama (15.5.2006):

Zam Finds People Of Sarawak Yearning For Continuity

KUCHING, May 15 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin, having concluded a four-day road trip of over 800km from Miri to Kuching to help in the Sarawak state election campaign, said Monday he was convinced that the people of Sarawak want the Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue to be in power in the state.

He said he arrived at the conclusion based on the feedback he had received along the way from the people of all communities who expressed their thanks and gratitude to Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his leadership that had brought about a change for the better in their lives.

"The change was visible, with dilapidated longhouses having given way to concrete structures with tiled floors and having facilities such as the television and air-conditioner," he told reporters at the Kuching international airport before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

Today's The Star (22.5.2006):


The Prime Minister said because he had expected the Barisan to lose several seats, he was not surprised by the results.

“I don't want to say this, but I had anticipated that. Something was not right, something was quite wrong,” said Abdullah, who is also Barisan chairman.

He said he had directed his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, to carry out a post mortem on the results.

And so what was his deputy's reply? I re-quote my earlier post which was taken from The Star.


PM Abdullah was quoted by The Star as saying "why did we lose the seats in the urban areas?" when speaking to DPM Najib during an eight-minute teleconferencing session telecast at Wisma TV in Angkasapuri yesterday. Najib was quoted as noting that areas which BN has lost to the opposition were Chinese-majority areas while the opposition could not easily sway the Malay voters.

What sort of post mortem is that? And what sort of answer is that?

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

From today's The Star (22.5.2006)

KOTA BARU: The results of the Sarawak state elections, which showed a favourable support for the Opposition, make it timely for PAS to open its doors to non-Muslims.

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who has made this suggestion, said party members were now more educated and mature enough to accept the proposal.

“I will propose to the party’s central leadership to seriously think about my suggestion,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

For a start, he said, non-Muslims could be admitted into the party as associate members.

“And, when the time is ripe, they may become full-fledged members to strengthen the party’s political clout,” said Nik Aziz, who is Kelantan mentri besar.

In the just-concluded Sarawak polls, PAS’ lone candidate Alem Din lost to the Barisan Nasional’s Bolhassan Di in the Betong Maro seat.

The PAS candidate received 1,901 votes against his victor’s 2,796 votes.

Nik Aziz considered the PAS foray into Sarawak a success although it lost.

He claimed the party managed to garner support from non-Muslim Ibans.

“The PAS candidate’s ability to reduce the majority from 3,034 in 2001 to 895 votes in Saturday’s state election was a victory.

“This shows that non-Muslims were no longer afraid of the negative image of the party and Islam as portrayed by the Barisan,” he said.

“It is timely now to admit non-Muslims to strengthen the party and take advantage of the weaknesses in the Barisan, which is losing steam.”

Nik Aziz claimed many non-Muslims in Kelantan were flying the PAS flag at their homes, and said this was an encouraging sign.

:D

[bobkee]

Promising future for PKR in Sarawak
Arfa'eza A Aziz
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/51400

Having penetrated the Sarawak state assembly through its sole representative Dominique Ng - who won the Padungan seat last Saturday - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has proven that it has the right formula to win the hearts of Sarawakians.

The party’s victory in the Chinese-majority seat in the state capital and the increase in popular votes garnered at several Malay seats proved that it is a force to be reckoned with in Sarawak.

Although it failed to win any of the Malay seats held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB), its popular votes increased tremendously compared to the 2001 state election.

In Saribas and Sadong Jaya, which are PBB's traditional Malay and Melanau strongholds, PKR garnered almost 50% of the votes cast.

PKR vice-president and election director Mohd Azmin Ali believed that PKR could have performed better if the election was conducted on an level playing field.

With all the difficulties encountered - BN propaganda, the Election Commission’s failure to conduct a free and fair election, unfair media coverage by the BN etc, the party still managed to get significant support in several constituencies, he said when contacted.

Politically more mature

Most locals met expressed their surprise at how fast PKR had shaken off the ‘party from Malaya’ label which was often used against it during the 10-day campaign period.

In fact, many had thought that Ng, who beat BN’s Lily Yong by a thumping 1,417 votes, would not stand a chance running under a PKR ticket.

Who would have thought that a candidate from a Malay-majority party would win in a Chinese-majority seat? It is well-known that the Chinese community is unhappy with the BN, but many felt that this was not enough to sway their support to PKR.

Ng was of the view that the opposition’s victory in four out of five seats in Kuching shows that the Chinese community has matured politically.

BN’s divide and rule strategies and fear tactics no longer work for the Chinese, he added.

“The message is very clear. The Chinese support can no longer be taken for granted. If BN continues with its unfair policies, the Malays are going to follow suit,” said Ng.

Azmin said that Ng’s victory showed that Sarawakians are ready to accept PKR as a multi-racial party.

PKR’s performance had also put to rest doubts that the thousands who attended the string of ceramahs (political talks) by party bigwigs including its adviser Anwar Ibrahim and president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, would be translated to votes.

Blessing in disguise

Many had claimed that the majority who attended the ceramah did so out of curiosity. Anwar was also portrayed in a bad light by the local media except for the Chinese press which was quite sympathetic.

An Iban journalist believed that the negative reporting by newspapers linked to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was a ‘blessing in disguise’ for the party.

“I think the BN campaign to smear Anwar had prompted the people who are already dissatisfied with the BN to seek out the truth.

Unfortunately for the BN and contrary to its claim that Anwar’s presence had no effect in Sarawak, the former deputy premier's charismatic personality had actually swayed the voters.

Ng believed that the Anwar factor had helped boost the people’s support for PKR when he went to the ground to meet the people.

“His personal touch had opened the eyes of the Kuching people. He even walked with me in the streets of Padungan. It proves that the Chinese do not see him as the Muslim radical he has been falsely accused of, Ng said.
Indeed, Anwar’s presence and that of other top party leaders like Wan Azizah, Azmin and youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor had indeed been effective, said political science lecturer Dr Ahmad Nizamuddin Sulaiman from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“I think the efforts of these top PKR leaders managed to pull in the votes. Perhaps the results would be different if they did not make their presence felt in Sarawak,” he said when contacted.

He said another factor for the opposition’s successes was the understanding reached by all political parties. The one-to-one contests in many constituencies worked in their favour, he added.

Economic grouses

According to Ahmad, Chinese voters in the urban areas voted for the opposition to express their anger at the recent fuel price hike, the land lease issue and the little economic opportunities available which have badly affected their livelihood.

The DAP managed to capitalise on these issues and influence the Chinese electorate, he said.

As for the Malay community, Ahmad believed that the votes cast for the opposition candidates came from the youths who are dissatisfied with practices of nepotism and cronyism by state leaders.

“Issues relating to alleged corrupt acts by state leaders were highlighted in many PKR ceramah. Elderly voters rarely go for the opposition rallies so they were not exposed to such information. So awareness on the issue had swayed young voters away from PBB,” he said.

He dismissed the idea that the Malay anger would subside once Abdul Taib steps down as chief minister.

“I don’t think his retirement would do anything to assuage the dissatisfaction. Yes, many are unhappy with him but they also know that he is not the only one practicing nepotism and cronyism. There are also others in his circle.

“Look at PBB Wanita chief Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauziah whose seat was inherited and won by her daughter Syarifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. So it’s not just Taib. The others are in the same boat too.

“Even when he retires, he will probably be replaced by a candidate of his choice and so it goes around the same circle. I believe then that this anti-establishment sentiments against the government will continue," said Ahmad.

Looking ahead

What’s next? What should PKR do to ensure that the people’s support will continue and grow? It must consider this seriously as it would be facing the next general election in less than three years.

One of its main tasks will be to preserve the informal ties it had with Snap and the yet-to-registered MDC under the Barisan Bersatu Sarawak coalition as well as its understanding with other opposition parties like DAP and PAS.

Ahmad said that it should find ways to form a real and practical coalition of opposition parties.

“Apart from Snap and MDC, PKR must work with DAP and set aside their differences to form a credible coalition. Also the communication between PKR top guns and Sarawakians must continue.

“If these leaders abandon Sarawak after this, they might not get the same treatment when they come back for the next election,” he added.

Ng said he is confident that the road for the opposition will be clear now that it has more representatives in the state assembly.

“This is a great beginning for the opposition. We have now gained a strong foothold in Sarawak. Now we have to get down to work”.What do you folks think? Realistic analysis or over enthusiastic?

[Jose Mourinho]

The party’s victory in the Chinese-majority seat in the state capital and the increase in popular votes garnered at several Malay seats proved that it is a force to be reckoned with in Sarawak. Although it failed to win any of the Malay seats held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB), its popular votes increased tremendously compared to the 2001 state election.

My view is that it is superfluous. PKR won the Chinese-majority seat. If DAP has field a candidate in that seat, it would probably have won it as well. This is of no disrespect to PKR and I think they have done well to win that seat. What is of utmost importance and which nobody in any of the Opposition parties can answer is this: Who is going to take on PBB and win? It has 35 seats. Forget about the urban seats because DAP can win those. But who will take on PBB and win the Malay-majority seats?

[jasonbhlee]

But who will take on PBB and win the Malay-majority seats?


Personally I think PKR/PAS can do the job. It is just that not enough groundwork was done past few years, only got active during the election. But if PKR is serious enough, I think they can do some damage to PBB. DAP and PKR are complete opposite although principally both are multiracial in nature but they seems to be fighting for the Chinese and Malay respectively. They therefore complement each other well. Don't always think that Sarawakians are only concerned about sarawak politics...you are just underestimating them. many Sarawakians are working in the Peninsular for a long time and the shiity things they see happening here are brought back to the ballot box, of course those in the rural areas are different. Give them RM500 and they think you are their next God!

[Jose Mourinho]

Personally I think PKR/PAS can do the job. It is just that not enough groundwork was done past few years, only got active during the election. But if PKR is serious enough, I think they can do some damage to PBB.

Jason. It seems that I disagree with you most of the times but it is only sharing of views only. Nothing personal and no offence meant, okay? No. I have to disagree. PAS' ideology is different and the Malays (most of them are very very very moderate and open in their thinking) would never accept PAS. PAS has always been considered as a party with its ideology rooted in religion. You must remember that many of the members and voters who vote for PBB are not Muslims. Taib Mahmud is a Melanau and he is a Muslim but many Melanaus are Christians and they vote for Taib Mahmud because he is just like a 'father' to them (fair enough, there are also those who hate his guts). I am only using Taib Mahmud as an example only. PBB gathers many votes from non-Muslims. I would not comment on PKR because I am still finding its political stands in Sarawak rather fuzzy.

My views only and I stand corrected.

[USJ27Resident]

But is it not annoying >>>>> the "katak di bawah tempurung" mindset of the leader and his heir apparent ????
Do they honestly believe that all Malays love them ???

Joe... GOOD QUESTION... and do we really wanna know the answer..? :p

The moral of the story is... actually, come to think of it - what MORAL of the story... :mad: This is what happens at every freaking election... we get shafted with all the stories about racial and religious ramifications if BN loses, that half of us would "pangkah" the LIBRA symbol as though it is a genetic reflex!!

And I guessed as much, the BN would have had to say something to the tune that the Chinese voters were 'revolting?'


While some described the performance of the multi-racial party as a major upset, others called it a “Chinese revolt” against the party, which has championed the interests of the Chinese community.
“The majority of Chinese voters turned against the SUPP because of a combination of factors.
“Party leaders appeared to have lost the courage to stand up against the state Barisan's top leadership on various issues, like the extension of leases for residential and commercial land, and high lease renewal premiums that affected urban Chinese.
“There is also a perception that some SUPP leaders had enriched themselves and failed to deliver what they had promised,” said a political analyst.

I like the last (line) statement though: Now tell me which BN politician hasn't enjoyed the perks of the position! Strangely - I still see LKS still travel in EY on his airtravels whereas BN politicians travel in style (yes!) Well - soon, VERY soon - these politicians are gonna have AirAsia to content with... :p or for all you know, might just use it as a freaking excuse to buying their own private planes :mad:

Now that the opposition has won those seats, I can bet my last ringgit - the "BN brainiacs" are thinking about how to realign voting boundaries and splitting the votes - as how they succeeded in splitting USJ up in the last election.

[simon_tan]

Now that the opposition has won those seats, I can bet my last ringgit - the "BN brainiacs" are thinking about how to realign voting boundaries and splitting the votes - as how they succeeded in splitting USJ up in the last election.


Interesting... does anyone have a map that shows the USJ/Subang 'electoral map'.. would love to see that...

Rgds

[Sentinel]

I am still feeling very very happy today with the outcome of the Sarawak state elections.... :D

[KelvC]

simon, no maps though but for reference: http://www.spr.gov.my
To those newly registered, you can check your status online (was however informed by the post office it takes 3 months to input your registration details)

Oh happy days.....oh happy days!

[USJ27Resident]

I am still feeling very very happy today with the outcome of the Sarawak state elections.... :D

Yup... no question about that...

Closest description to this: Is like somebody throwing a BIG HUGE bucket of ice cold water on the gomen :p Talk about a wake up call !!!

[Sentinel]

Yup... no question about that...

Closest description to this: Is like somebody throwing a BIG HUGE bucket of ice cold water on the gomen :p Talk about a wake up call !!!

.... more like a 72-hour Loi Krathong water festival yah? The question is : Can they read the writings on the wall? Do they care about the 'message' from the disgruntled and frustrated voters in Sarawak? :eek:

[USJ27Resident]

.... more like a 72-hour Loi Krathong water festival yah? The question is : Can they read the writings on the wall? Do they care about the 'message' from the disgruntled and frustrated voters in Sarawak? :eek:

Errr... hallo :p If I might remind the honourable forummer Sentinel, that we have to forgive the present sitting MPs cannot read as well, as their eyesight has been compromised ~ since the "close one eye" pecah tembelang fiasco...

I know one other person, laughing every evening to this incident... :p he is Tan Sri Halil Abdul Mutalib...

[USJ27Resident]

This was blogged by the "famous" Catblogger Kenny Sia (http://www.kennysia.com/)


The biggest losers this election aren't any of the candidates, but the newspapers in Sarawak. I'm talking about the Eastern Times and Borneo Post. Hey if I had to turn to a national newspaper like The Star for not-so-biased election coverage, that's not saying you're bad. That's saying you're utterly hopeless as a newspaper because you've failed in your very basic duty to inform and educate the public.

In his own words.... well, he makes a darn good newspaper editor too :p

[jasonbhlee]

Digressing a little, I think PAS in Kelantan should capitalised on this wave when the population at large are not happy. They should call for a snap election. What is there to lose. If now any of the state assemblyman were to cross over to the BN, they are doomed. Or if any of them kicked the bucket...they are doomed as well. So might as well call for an election when the timing is favourable to the Opposition, not that I support PAS but to tell BN not to take things for granted, like saying its a Chinese revolt. If that happens in Kelantan, will they ever say its a Malay revolt or they lost due to extreme gambling by the people of Kelantan?

[Jose Mourinho]

In The Sun today (23.5.2006)

The DAP is exploiting the fuel price hike issue to the hilt after benefiting from it in the just concluded Sarawak elections. Lim Guan Eng said DAP's distribution of election leaflets, listing eight reasons for its protest against the fuel hike, proved successful in Sarawak as the fuel issue was relevant to the Malaysian society. He said: "We want to know if the government approves of the principle for Petronas' profits - amounting to RM34.5 billion in 2005 and expected to reach RM40 billion this year - to be distributed to the people, especially the needy".

......

I am sure that Lim Guan Eng knows what he is talking about. And taking a leaf from what he has said, let's see if the Government is foolish enough to go ahead to raise tariffs for other utilities. Well done, DAP.

[bobkee]

Digressing a little, I think PAS in Kelantan should capitalised on this wave when the population at large are not happy. They should call for a snap election. What is there to lose. If now any of the state assemblyman were to cross over to the BN, they are doomed. Or if any of them kicked the bucket...they are doomed as well. So might as well call for an election when the timing is favourable to the Opposition, not that I support PAS but to tell BN not to take things for granted, like saying its a Chinese revolt. If that happens in Kelantan, will they ever say its a Malay revolt or they lost due to extreme gambling by the people of Kelantan?IMHO, I feel it's about time PAS lost Kelantan. They've held it for 4 terms and that is long enough to corrupt anyone. It would be inconsistent with the ideas of "democracy" and "good governance" for anyone to stay in power for that long.

[pcyeoh]

I have come across this interesting fact some years ago. The amount of oil produced by Petronas is mind boggling. A USD 1 cent increase in the price of oil will bring a windfall of RM 1 million to Petronas coffer. At that time, oil was selling at USD 45 per barrel. Today, it has peaked the USD 70 price point and our production could have doubled or tripled.

[Kamikaze]

The BN will lose more ground if complacency continue to rule. Just an example I read in NST yesterday that we are giving RM58 million to Palestine. My question is why we are helping this country who's terrorist party just won the elections. The aid will fall into the hands of people making bombs. Also, RM58 million is a big sum and our country is not that well off. No benefit at all in this giving. Man on the street like me don't like all this government nonsense.

[bugbear]

The BN will lose more ground if complacency continue to rule. Just an example I read in NST yesterday that we are giving RM58 million to Palestine. My question is why we are helping this country who's terrorist party just won the elections. The aid will fall into the hands of people making bombs. Also, RM58 million is a big sum and our country is not that well off. No benefit at all in this giving. Man on the street like me don't like all this government nonsense.
In case you don't know, it is the BN who is the gomen and who voted them in? Who is now controlling the country coffer? If they deem that RM 58 million is good enough than nobody can question them. Those who did will likely end up being detain under ISA. That is why I trully applause what happen in Sarawak. I hope all voters will get wise up and make a difference the nest time around.

[tupai]

the racist in the government will never see beyond the race card on why they lost...thats the 'Truly Malaysian' image that we are projecting to the world. WE ARE A BUNCH OF RACISTS LED BY A BUNCH OF BIGGER RACIST!

Yang Amat Berkauman lato tupai

[Kamikaze]

In case you don't know, it is the BN who is the gomen and who voted them in? Who is now controlling the country coffer? If they deem that RM 58 million is good enough than nobody can question them. Those who did will likely end up being detain under ISA.

As rakyat we cannot question them? I thought the opposition members are there to do the job. Also the people can write about this, speak about this etc. I see a lot of comments against government in this forum, all need to go ISA?

[Firefly]

Do they have broadband service in ISA detention?

[bobkee]

About the RM58 Million, I am not too sure how to feel about that. While it might be possible that the HAMAS government might misappropriate the money for other purposes, the fact that ordinary Palestineans are going through hell due to the sudden loss of revenue is very real.

Pretty hard to justify sitting by and watching a people suffer and die just because we disagree with some folks.

[Jose Mourinho]

My take is that charity begins at home. The RM58 million can go a long way to help many Malaysians living below the poverty line.

[Kamikaze]

My take is that charity begins at home. The RM58 million can go a long way to help many Malaysians living below the poverty line.

Yes you are right. Govenment always tell us no money to do this and that, but got money to give Palestine so easily. No need to set up comittee to decide, but set this and that committee when come to corrupt people. City people will think like that thats why vote opposition.

[jasonbhlee]

I hope DAP will show them the true meaning of people's representation.....

__________________________________________________ __________

SUPP President Tan Sri Dr. George Chan has said that the SUPP would not only conduct an internal post-mortem on its loss in the Sarawak state general election last Saturday but also commission an independent audit to get a clear picture of what happened.

Chan said: “We hear the voice of the people loud and clear. Now we want to know why they made that noise.”

If Chan continues to be so haughty and arrogant as to regard the voice of the people as “noise”, Sarawakians cannot expect the SUPP and Barisan Nasional leaders to really accept or respect their views, hopes and aspirations – which would then be the occasion for the people to teach them a second “lesson” in future.

With the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi giving so much emphasis to the creation of a “first-class mentality” to pave the way for Malaysia to become a fully developed nation in 2020, the Sarawak State Assembly should be playing a leading role in this process.

Sarawak should aim to be the No. One in the country in pioneering State Assembly reform and modernization, such as by giving official recognition to the position of Opposition Leader. DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng has just announced the appointment of DAP Assemblyman for Bukit Assek, Wong Ho Leng as the Sarawak Assembly Opposition Leader.

Another “first” for Assembly reform and modernization is the establishment of Assembly Select Committees comprising all-party representatives to make in-depth studies and conduct public consultations and even public hearings of major issues affecting the people in the state, as is now being done in Parliament.

The six DAP Sarawak State Assembly representatives have very challenging and exciting tasks ahead of them to make their contributions to transform the Sarawak State Assembly into a vibrant and representative chamber where the voices of the people are often heard and debated, and not just an echo chamber of the Sarawak Chief Minister.


- Lim Kit Siang

[USJ27Resident]

About the RM58 Million, I am not too sure how to feel about that. While it might be possible that the HAMAS government might misappropriate the money for other purposes,....


Now how would OUR government be seen, giving money to an organisation that is listed as a terrorist organisation? I mean, why give the money to the organisation that COULD [possible] use the money for other purposes... instead the money could have gone directly to the President's Office or the the Red Cresent...

On ther other hand: I have to agree with Jose take on charity. It should begin at home... :(

Apologies for the digression...

[aurora97]

So it looks like the voters have not "voted wisely" and had been "hoodwinked" by the "opposition's lies". :D

Somebody idiot even blamed the recent redelineation of constituencies and the resultant increase in the number of seats. I thought all that had been done to ensure a BN clean sweep (ala "Pembangkang Sifar in our developed state)

We shouldn't be so quick to judge Sarawakians because they voted for the opposition, truth is you need to know why they voted for the opposition. According to my Sarawakian friends, there has been alot of hanky panky stuff going on in Sarawak. I don't want to mention what's going on, but this are from the perspective of Sarawakians.

The Cheif Minister by the way is running for the 6th Term isn't it time for him to step down? <this itself is a question many Sarawakians are questioning, go ask them and see what they think.

Issues are far ranging from housing, leasing, cement, shipping, bakun, competition (in terms of business) from people who have friends in very high places, and so foth all worth to be considered why Sarawakians voted for the opposition.

The government should pay the price for letting the people down, promises are made cheaply but action is lacking. By all means they saw it coming and they deserved it.

[aurora97]

Do they have broadband service in ISA detention?

serious i could live with that, lock me up please :D

Food, Broadband, and all the basic neccesities in life.

[PeterHng]

serious i could live with that, lock me up please :D

Food, Broadband, and all the basic neccesities in life.

Auora97, be careful what you wish for. It might just happened. You haven't heard what they've done to the ISA inmates? The tortures, physical and mental and verbal abuses day and night, and the infamous black-eye on AI. (You can read these accounts in Aliran magazine especially in the period of infamous Operasi Lallang in 1987). You still want to be locked up? :rolleyes:

[sirgalahad2010]

But I thot that the Hamas-led govt was freely elected by the Palestinians in an election that external observers deemed to be, for the most part, free and fair.

So, does the US and like-minded parties have the right to tell the Palestinians who they should elect as their govt so that it is "internationally acceptable"? That democracy is fine, as long as its democracy as we define it?

Forgive me if I detect a strong whiff of hypocrisy here - that we will accept election results if we like them, and we will reject the election results if we don't like them. :(

Alas, if only life is so simple.........

[bobkee]

Digress a bit again from the main issue, I just found out our PAS type friends are up at arms again because the RM58 Million is going to be channelled via Fatah and not the HAMAS government.

[silver_bird]

Quote bobkee :
About the RM58 Million, I am not too sure how to feel about that. While it might be possible that the HAMAS government might misappropriate the money for other purposes, the fact that ordinary Palestineans are going through hell due to the sudden loss of revenue is very real.

Pretty hard to justify sitting by and watching a people suffer and die just because we disagree with some folks.

Quote Jose Mourinho :
My take is that charity begins at home. The RM58 million can go a long way to help many Malaysians living below the poverty line.

Quote Kamikaze :
Yes you are right. Govenment always tell us no money to do this and that, but got money to give Palestine so easily. No need to set up comittee to decide, but set this and that committee when come to corrupt people. City people will think like that thats why vote opposition.

Quote : USJ27Resident
Now how would OUR government be seen, giving money to an organisation that is listed as a terrorist organisation? I mean, why give the money to the organisation that COULD [possible] use the money for other purposes... instead the money could have gone directly to the President's Office or the the Red Cresent...

On ther other hand: I have to agree with Jose take on charity. It should begin at home...

Apologies for the digression...

Quote : sirgalahad2010
But I thot that the Hamas-led govt was freely elected by the Palestinians in an election that external observers deemed to be, for the most part, free and fair.

So, does the US and like-minded parties have the right to tell the Palestinians who they should elect as their govt so that it is "internationally acceptable"? That democracy is fine, as long as its democracy as we define it?

Forgive me if I detect a strong whiff of hypocrisy here - that we will accept election results if we like them, and we will reject the election results if we don't like them.

Alas, if only life is so simple.........

Quote bobkee :
Digress a bit again from the main issue, I just found out our PAS type friends are up at arms again because the RM58 Million is going to be channelled via Fatah and not the HAMAS government.
__________________________________________________

RM57m for infrastructure pledged to Palestinians

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has pledged to carry out 16 municipal infrastructure projects – each costing about US$1mil (RM3.6mil) – in Palestine.

“Let’s not look at it as an assistance to the Hamas government but towards helping the Palestinians,” said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

“We have agreed to channel financial aid towards specific projects,” he told a press conference yesterday after opening a senior officials’ preparatory meeting, ahead of the two-day Non-Aligned Movement co-ordinating bureau meeting here tomorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced the financial aid when he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the recently concluded World Economic Forum in Egypt, last week.

“The Government needs to follow-up on this and do the final disbursement, based on the projects that we have agreed to assist in,” Syed Hamid said.

The NAM-CoB meeting tomorrow will see two new members – Dominica, as well as Antigua and Barbuda – joining the movement.

They will attend the upcoming NAM Summit in Havana in September as official members of the movement. Previously, they were listed as observing countries, along with 15 other nations, including Brazil, China, Croatia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

On another matter, Syed Hamid said North Korea had agreed to attend the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) to be held in Kuala Lumpur alongside the Asean Ministerial Meeting in July.

The invitation to the forum was made during his visit last week to North Korea.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/5/28/nation/14375790&sec=nation

[dragonfly]

Interesting question. Why punish the people for electing the government of choice in a free and fairly conducted election. What a hypocrisy! In Malaysia, elections are held free and fairly and yet when the people vote for the opposition candidate, we all know what happens to the constituency. Development funds and building of other public amenities are withheld. Why? To teach them a lesson.......to be 'wiser' the next time around.

The Palestinians knew from the beginning the consequences of voting the Hamas. The donor states have publicly voiced their reservations before the elections. The voters took a gamble and now paying the price. Where are the Arab 'brothers' with their huge oil wealth?

[silver_bird]

Be More Transparent in Selecting Scholarship Receipient, PSD Told
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=202703

KUCHING, June 10 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Saturday urged the Public Services Department (PSD) to be more transparent in selecting scholarship recipients.

Its Youth Chief Alan Sim said students and parents have doubts whether the PSD really followed the selection criteria of academic performance, extra co-curriculum activities, family background and performance during the interview.

"Parents are disappointed when their children with straight A1s failed to receive the scholarships when academic excellence is given higher weightage. Reasons why the students failed should also be pointed out.

"It is high time the PSD is transparent in the selection of scholarship recipients. There are too many cases of deserving students not being offered the scholarships," he told reporters.

Sim expressed his disappointment over this year's PSD scholarship appeal results as only five of the 143, including 64 students who scored straight A1s in the state, were successful. The results were released Friday through the PSD website.

He said the students approached the SUPP Education Bureau to appeal for the scholarships.

"We will not keep mum on this matter. SUPP will continue fighting for their cases through the party's federal representatives Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui (Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister) and Datuk Robert Lau (Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government) in next week's federal cabinet meeting," he said.

Sim said the recipients' names ought to be made known to the public as the scholarships were awarded through the taxpayers' money.

This year, the PSD offered 1,300 scholarships to students who excelled in last year's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination to pursue overseas degree programmes.

Last year, the SUPP Youth successfully helped 39 students out of 95 who appealed through the movement.

-- BERNAMA