Sarawak State Election Political Landscape!!!

As the dust settles, Sarawak Barisan Nasional braces for an impending transition with a fresh mandate.

It will see the entry of a revitalised line-up of elected representatives and the departure of Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is into the seventh consecutive term as chief minister. There were shortcomings but the coalition partners made up for them with winnable individuals raring to serve the people. Results from across the state made it glaringly obvious that BN needs to buck up if it wishes to recapture the urban Chinese-majority seats which it lost. For now, with promises waiting to be delivered and a continuation of the national transformation agenda, the new government beckons, with Taib setting the script.

“Sarawak is safe now. We have the chance to implement SCORE to the fullest,” Taib said, referring to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, the government’s long-term development programme launched in 2009. “The victory will give the people an opportunity to progress and become a high-income society as envisioned by the BN coalition government,” he said moments after BN secured a two-thirds majority on Saturday night.

The resounding victory in clinching 55 of the 71 seats allowed Taib to keep his power transition process on track despite threats from the opposition to derail it by denying BN a two-thirds majority. At the same time, it shows the people’s support for the national BN leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The ambitious attempts by the likes of Sarawak National Party, Parti Cinta Malaysia and a record number of independent candidates — 41 — to penetrate the state assembly also fizzled out, with only one independent candidate, George Lagong, winning the Pelagus seat.

BN component Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing has this to say: “Quit politics or join forces with BN after they disband their defunct parties.” But the threats from the opposition pact of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pas are real, as each has made inroads into the state, doubling their seats and winning mostly in urban areas or constituencies where candidates had failed to deliver. Discerning constituents in urban areas are now looking beyond the need for better infrastructure, education or economy, which remain rural concerns, but are stepping into an era where human rights, the environment and Native Customary Rights land, among others, matter more.

 Newcomer Dennis Ngau who won the Telang Usan seat, however, said trust among members of the four-party BN coalition as well as support from their counterparts from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia would go a long way to rebuild the people’s confidence. “Now that we have a fresh mandate, it is time for us to work on areas where we lost ground but, at the same time, strengthen our links with voters who supported us,” he said.

Fellow rookie Abdullah Saidol, who retained Semop for BN, said it would be hard work for everyone, especially new assemblymen like him, but gave an assurance they were up to the challenge. “We knew what we would face when we agreed to become part of the team. We are ready.” Two names, Datuk Abang Johari Openg and Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, have been bandied about as possible successors to Taib, who reiterated his decision to step down midway into the new term.

Taib is keeping his cards close to the chest but rumours have it that Najib and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are aware of the successor.

When, who and how? Only time will tell. 

Wake up Dude!!!!

Deliver your promises!!!