Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS and DAP are well prepared to take on the Sarawak Barisan government in the next election which may be held any time between 2010 and 2011. The last State election was held in May 2006.
One of the steps taken by the Alliance is engaging a Kuala Lumpur-based PR consultancy company to compile data on the 71 State constituencies. These data will be studied or analyzed in depth in respect of the trend of voting, the number of voters – women, men and young voters – their attitude, local issues, transportation problems, background of the incumbent representatives (their strong and weak points), potential candidates, etc.
A similar study carried out in West Malaysia months before the March election has found out to be useful in assessing constituency by constituency. Basically problems in a constituency differ from another. Thus, a different strategy will be applied.
For the Dayak constituencies, their main focus will be on Baleh which is held by James Masing, President of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Land Development Minister; Pakan held by William Mawan, President of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation; and Layar by Alfred Jabu, Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bersatu Bumiputra (PBB), Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications.
The Alliance sees in the three leaders as the “stumbling block” to Dayak unity because they have to depend on BN and Abdul Taib Mahmud for their political survival. As such they are not able to articulate the interests of the Dayaks. Accusations against them by the Dayaks including their party members have appeared in intensity in various blogs.
In the coming election three candidates – one lawyer and two businessmen – have expressed their intentions to contest against Jabu in the Layar constituency and they have been seen more frequent in longhouses in the constituency trying to gauge the situation.
Jabu who has occupied the seat for more than 30 years has his popularity declined every time there was an election. And in every election there were between 1,500 and 2,000 people who always voted against Jabu. And what makes the next election even more interesting is that a few PBB grassroots leaders have secret talks with potential Opposition candidates to get “rid” of Jabu in order to create a vacancy for them to contest in later elections; because if Jabu continues to win, then they will never have a chance to contest. They have learnt from UMNO members who voted against UMNO candidates in the March election.
And the problem with Jabu, his adversaries say, is that he regards politics as a family affair: his wife is a Senator and his nephew a State assemblyman. Rumours have been circulated in Betong that his wife may be contesting in the coming State election. She is, they say, eyeing Balai Ringin where she is the PBB branch chairperson. Rentap, his son, may also be contesting. Now if all this happens, then there is no chance for other members of PBB to contest. Thus, the secret talks to get rid of Jabu have been mooted.
They asked: “What more Jabu wants?” They also alleged that he has every thing from timber concessions, to business contracts and oil palm plantations.
Unlike previous elections where Jabu was challenged by little known or novice politicians whose intentions were only to “kacau–kacau” (disturb) him, the next election will see him being challenged by someone of his equal in terms of money, logistics, campaign strategies and more effective with the support of the five Opposition State governments from West Malaysia. In this case, it will be five State governments against the State government plus federal government.
The Alliance is really serious to see that a new government be formed in the State. But are the voters – Dayaks, Chinese and Malays – ready for a change of government? Or do they still prefer to be ruled by the bullying BN?
One of the steps taken by the Alliance is engaging a Kuala Lumpur-based PR consultancy company to compile data on the 71 State constituencies. These data will be studied or analyzed in depth in respect of the trend of voting, the number of voters – women, men and young voters – their attitude, local issues, transportation problems, background of the incumbent representatives (their strong and weak points), potential candidates, etc.
A similar study carried out in West Malaysia months before the March election has found out to be useful in assessing constituency by constituency. Basically problems in a constituency differ from another. Thus, a different strategy will be applied.
For the Dayak constituencies, their main focus will be on Baleh which is held by James Masing, President of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Land Development Minister; Pakan held by William Mawan, President of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation; and Layar by Alfred Jabu, Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bersatu Bumiputra (PBB), Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications.
The Alliance sees in the three leaders as the “stumbling block” to Dayak unity because they have to depend on BN and Abdul Taib Mahmud for their political survival. As such they are not able to articulate the interests of the Dayaks. Accusations against them by the Dayaks including their party members have appeared in intensity in various blogs.
In the coming election three candidates – one lawyer and two businessmen – have expressed their intentions to contest against Jabu in the Layar constituency and they have been seen more frequent in longhouses in the constituency trying to gauge the situation.
Jabu who has occupied the seat for more than 30 years has his popularity declined every time there was an election. And in every election there were between 1,500 and 2,000 people who always voted against Jabu. And what makes the next election even more interesting is that a few PBB grassroots leaders have secret talks with potential Opposition candidates to get “rid” of Jabu in order to create a vacancy for them to contest in later elections; because if Jabu continues to win, then they will never have a chance to contest. They have learnt from UMNO members who voted against UMNO candidates in the March election.And the problem with Jabu, his adversaries say, is that he regards politics as a family affair: his wife is a Senator and his nephew a State assemblyman. Rumours have been circulated in Betong that his wife may be contesting in the coming State election. She is, they say, eyeing Balai Ringin where she is the PBB branch chairperson. Rentap, his son, may also be contesting. Now if all this happens, then there is no chance for other members of PBB to contest. Thus, the secret talks to get rid of Jabu have been mooted.
They asked: “What more Jabu wants?” They also alleged that he has every thing from timber concessions, to business contracts and oil palm plantations.
Unlike previous elections where Jabu was challenged by little known or novice politicians whose intentions were only to “kacau–kacau” (disturb) him, the next election will see him being challenged by someone of his equal in terms of money, logistics, campaign strategies and more effective with the support of the five Opposition State governments from West Malaysia. In this case, it will be five State governments against the State government plus federal government.
The Alliance is really serious to see that a new government be formed in the State. But are the voters – Dayaks, Chinese and Malays – ready for a change of government? Or do they still prefer to be ruled by the bullying BN?
12 comments:
If and when Pakatan Rakyat candidates can beat Masing, Mawan and Jabu in the next state elections what it means is that in Dayak or Iban majority areas there is no hope for the BN to win many seate in the rural areas.It's not that the trio do not know the feelings on the ground( to say otherwise is to imply that they do not even know their own feelings which is of course untrue); they do, but, unfortunately, they are living in the comfort zone for far too long.And they are too concerned with their own respective positions in the Government. With half or more of the rural (Dayak seats ) falling to Pakatan Rakyat there is no way the BN can be returned to office.
At last Sarawak is stirring from its political slumber. I for one would like to see a change of govt. in Sarawak and the reasons are obvious. The current one has been around for far too long . But will the Chinese supporters of SUPP still follow George Chan like sheep or see DAP/Keadilan as a viable alternative? Can the rural Dayaks be persuaded to vote for the Opposition? Will the emerging Dayak leaders be able to unite their people and wrest their support away from the current emasculated parties?
We live in interesting times.
A Tale from Borneo
http://knightadventure.blogspot.com/2008/11/tale-from-borneo.html
By Christhoper K. Knight
Bad blood
For centuries, the ogres, the goblins and the trolls in Malaya have been in constant disagreement with Borneo Island over the rights to rule in that island. In principle, Malaya agrees to accord autonomy to Sabah and Sarawak. But in practical situation, Malaya pokes its ugly noses in nearly everything that is Borneo. They even ‘ogring’ tens of thousands of aliens in the shape of gollums from the Philippines and toyols from Indonesia. That they did so the men-elves in Sabah become more ogre than they can become man.
It is understood that the establishment of Malaysia was much like a marriage. Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak entered into matrimony on September 16, 1963, long before there is telephone or train.
The four regions pledged unity as a single, sovereign federation, promising to be faithful and equal partners in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow. As it turned out, Singapore seceded from Malaysia two years later. Malaya and Borneo Island continue as partners, and they lived happily ever after – but happy as in a feigned smile.
Malaya does not honour his duties as a spouse. The relationship between Malaya and Borneo is no longer sacrosanct, a marriage rocked with broken promises. Borneo has ‘descended’ in ranks to become no more than a wronged concubine in an unfortunate union, with Malaya enjoying political supremacy and socio-economic advantage.
Then come the day when great wizards from Borneo meet up with their Malayan counterparts in Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Much to the chagrin of the Borneo representatives, the Malayans could not answer many discrepancies in relationship between Borneo and Malaya. Not wanting to subject Borneo to any more pretence from the ogres, James Jemut Masing proposes a DIVORCE with Malaya.
Boldly he speaks out, “Sabah and Sarawak feel that we have been sidelined. There is still that uneasy feeling that begs us to question if we are really part of the three regions.”
Bernard Dompok, formerly a Sabah king, stands up to echo Masing’s view: “If we want national unity, it must not be artificial — you know, singing this song or that song... it should be more practical, such as settling grouses and changing the people’s mindsets. There is still this perception that Malaysia refers specifically to Malaya. When I tell the ogres in Malaya that I am going back to Sabah, they ask me when I am coming back to Malaysia. The mindset that Sabah and Sarawak is an addendum to Malaysia must change.
Sarawak’s John Brian chips in: “Sabah and Sarawak were guaranteed enormous autonomy under the auspices of the 20-Point Agreement, for Sabah, and the 18-Point Agreement, for Sarawak, the international treaty signed during Malaysia’s establishment. The agreement stipulates, among others, that Sabah and Sarawak are not required to declare ogre religion as their state religion. The states would also have control over immigration, the civil service, education and development funds.
One ogre from among the Malayan bench barked: “That’s your problem. These rights have, over the years, been bartered away by your own politicians who were eager to gain favour with Malaya, am I right?!”
Bung Mokthar from Sabah promptly cut in: “And we have replaced those politicians, right?!”
By that remark, the house bursts with laughter. Sarawak’s Tugauw asks the Bung to sit down and never again introduce his silliness in matter so grave. Mokhtar being a bung does not even know how the howler has leaked shame upon himself.
Tugauw grabs his spear and trains the weapon in the direction of Hishamuddin Hussein, causing great panic across the room. Now the people have stopped laughing, Tugauw says, “Hear us now, you moron, respect for that agreement is the lynchpin of unity between Borneo and Malaya. We, the people of Borneo, feel that the federal government has not met their promise. Sabahans have been short-changed in some crucial areas. The civil service for instance. After 45 years as Malaysians, there are not many signs of advancement in the civil service; we don’t get a chief secretary, for instance. There are many explanations offered by the federal government. But the country has not worked hard enough to ensure that the civil service is a reflection of Malaysia. We should have a service that is Malaysia, truly Malaysia. Another point of contention is the economic disparity between the Ogre Bumiputera and the non-Ogre Bumiputera. There are glaring disparities that require attention.
Sarawak’s Joseph Tawie: “You ignore at our peril the importance of the international treaty that binds Malaysia. Sabah is wedded to the 20 points. And Sarawak is wedded to the 18 points. We hold it dear to our hearts and you must respect that. Nations are born not because the law binds them. But nations survive, and unity and patriotism are created by winning people’s hearts. Sabah and Sarawak are more than equal partners under the Federation. Most of the 20 points are included into the Constitution; and the states have additional law-making and financial powers, and sources of revenue that are not available to the Malaya states. But whether we, the people of Sabah and Sarawak, are afforded those special rights in the administration, that is the question.
Malaya: That’s what you think, huh? Sabah and Sarawak must also take a share of the blame. The lack of development in these two states is also the result of inadequate leadership, mismanagement, and the lack of dynamic policies. Above all other, your politicians suck!
Sabah: Very well, grant us complete autonomy in all areas. You’ll see who sucks up to who then.
Malaya: That would go against the notion of building a united nation.
Sarawak: A united nation under a Federal Government? Good, then the Federal Government should respect Sabah and Sarawak’s cultural, religious and language diversity and autonomy. The many minority Bumiputera groups in Sabah and Sarawak are largely marginalised by sheer virtue of the fact that every facet of life — be it pop culture or political discourse — operate along three Malayan racial lines, the Orges, the Trolls and the Goblins. The people of Sabah and Sarawak are more than often under-represented in these areas.
Sabah: Furthermore, the government should not export Malaya’s brand of race-based politics or try to ‘ogring’ the population. Such actions would undermine the inherent pluralism in Sabah and Sarawak. Malaya has been trying to export its model of race-based politics to Sabah since the early 1990s. It has racialised politics in Sabah and created a heightened sense of ethnicity. Race is not an issue there. When you start promoting race, you will heighten the awareness of racial issues. Additionally, while issues of an Ogre state often given importance in Malaya, Ogre mutants and converts are a minority among the 27 ethnic groups in Sarawak and 32 in Sabah.
Malaya: Why you need autonomy, you ungrateful lots?
Sarawak: Sabah and Sarawak feel the need to maintain autonomy because it is the last bastion in being recognised as an integral part of Malaysia. Once Sabah and Sarawak gain parity with the Malaya in terms of progress, development and education, the states’ protective barriers will naturally fade away.
Sabah: My dear, Sarawak, this is the opportune moment for us to make demands from the federal government in order to adjust the widening disparity between Borneo and Malaya. Already, post 8 March, the federal government has been allocating funds for Sabah and Sarawak, and addressing grievances that have long been ignored such as the issues of illegal immigrants and lack of economic parity.
Sarawak: Let me ask you, Malaya, when is Malaysia formed?
Malaya: Why, August 31, 1957. Malaysia is 51 years old today.
Sabah: You fools! Malaysia is formed on September 16, 1963. That was 45 years ago. Malaysia was not formed 51 years ago. Let us not deceive ourselves to think that something was formed before its existence.
Sarawak: If you cannot remember the date, Malaya, I can forgive you. But you remember a date but that date is wrong. If you cannot keep to your heart thing as simple as our wedding date, what good then is this marriage? Forget it, forget about everything, forget about us; forget about Malaysia!
This time the assault on the Sarawak State Government is for real and not" main main ".
Firstly,and favourably,PKR would prefer one existing party to be their ally,probably courting PRS.If PRS still steadfastly cling to the present coalition then PKR has no choice but to go on its own.
Insiders say PKR will definitely attack Layar and Pakan,and hopefully leave Masing intact,luring him and PRS (with possible 9 seats) to the fold.
This time Jabu will face 5 CMs,82 MPs and a possible team of 245ADUNs fighting him in Layar! Get bthe drift?
PKR has identified and narrow down the candidate to face Jabu from a list of 6 to 2 now, a lawyer and a businessman,both local and more interestingly are both distant relatives of Jabu.
Hahahhahahha...James Bond! Nice story dude...it's real!!! ahahhahahah...I can't keep myself from laughing over your satiric piece of art!!Keep up the good job bro!! ahhahahahhahahha...oh my God...hahahhahahahh!!! I like especially the ending part..hahahhahaha..!!oh man...!!
Every indicator is showing the dayak parties will suffer defeat in the next election.It will be equal to the great depression .
We have the answer for them in the next election.
We will vote for the party that will give us 20% of the oil royalty.
We will vote for the party that will listen to our problems ,not their cronies , their relatives and friends.
We will vote those who will serve the rakyats ,not the rakyats serve them.
We will vote most of all Sarawakians,not 'foreigners'planted in our states.
We will definately vote for change,which for 45 years is very much well deserved.
hopefully not pkr or bn win the seats
agree with 'free sarawak'..
PKR can use all kind of strategies and at the end of the day they will even lost the only seat in the DUN. Look at Dominique Ng, hahah looks more like a badut or a clown than a YB. If all YBs dress like Dominique Ng in the DUN, parai kita way. The reporters will have their field day. Come what may, PKR is just another Parti KAcau Rakyat.
i still prefer the sarawak head by sarawakians win the seats
paling tinggi swkians in pkr would be reserve vp
Its doesnt matter whether PKR or other independent candidate win, as long as BN lost. Call for all the Dayaks DUN/MP who have served more than two term to step down. Because after two term they are only carrying the Boss's balls not the people's mandate. Give others a chance to sit on the wheel and carrying Boss's balls.
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