KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat’s victory in the recent Sibu by-election proved that all is not lost for the coalition in its hopes of winning the 13th general election, and forming the next federal government.
In his blog, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang also said the days Barisan Nasional considered Sabah and Sarawak as its “fixed deposits” are over.
“The BN survived the onslaught of the 2008 political tsunami due to the support from Sabah and Sarawak.
“However, it must have realised now that it cannot take the voters of the two states for granted by disregarding their legitimate grievances and discontent,” he said.
Last Sunday, DAP’s Wong Ho Leng defeated BN’s Robert Lau Hui Yew by a wafer-thin majority of 398 votes, in a seat that is purpotedly a “BN stronghold”.
Lim said the victory had also halted BN’s move to regain its two-thirds majority in Parliament following a series of defections by PR lawmakers earlier.
He added that the Sibu by-election also saw Pakatan component parties displaying a sense of maturity and effectiveness in its political alliance.
“ It was the first foray for the team of DAP, PKR, PAS and SNAP. The leaders of all the parties have demonstrated to all Malaysians of the quality and the nature of the new politics for a new Malaysia,” he said.
Lim also heaped praises on PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim, PAS president Hadi Awang, Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin, Zaid Ibrahim and many other Pakatan leaders for their contribution to the victory.