by Debra Chong
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 16, 2011
KUCHING, April 16 — Flushed with its historic 12-seat victory in Malaysia’s biggest state tonight, the DAP has declared boldly that Sarawak is no longer the ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) fixed deposit as the prime minister mulls nationwide polls ahead of its 2013 expiry.
Despite failing to block the BN from winning back its traditional two-thirds control in the oil-rich state, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 16-seat haul in the 71-seat state legislative assembly has effectively denied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a much needed referendum to confidently call for the 13th general elections this year.
The party adviser and parliamentary chief, Lim Kit Siang, remarked that PR’s win marks the biggest defeat faced by the BN’s Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in his 30-year career as Sarawak chief minister, cementing the widely-held view that he is a liability to the ruling coalition at the federal level.
“This is the biggest setback for the Barisan Nasional. Sarawak is no longer the fixed deposit for the Barisan Nasional,” Lim senior told a news conference here tonight.
The two East Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah account for 56 out of 222 seats in parliament, with the former taking the lion’s share at 31.
“This big strike forward for DAP and for Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak is a very important and revolutionary step for the [coming] general elections,” he added.
Kit Siang’s son, Guan Eng, said Sarawak had delivered a very strong message to the federal government through the ballot box.
“The message is clear. Sarawak wants an end to a one-party rule and a one-man rule. They want a two-party rule,” the DAP secretary-general told reporters.
“I hope the prime minister will heed this message by asking Taib Mahmud to step down now,” Guan Eng said, even as he noted the 74-year-old’s promise to step down within the next two to three years was “too long”.
DAP national chairman, Karpal Singh, who was also at the same news conference observed that resource-rich Sarawak had the potential to top Penang’s record 26 per cent economic growth.
“I think Sarawak can do more than Penang with its resources,” the veteran lawyer said, echoing his colleagues in saying that the change can only come if the Sarawak chief minister, sworn in for the seventh consecutive term following his win as Balingan representative, steps down.
Sarawak DAP’s Chong Chien Jen in turn drove home the point that the newly-concluded state election was “all about Sarawak choosing whether it wanted to continue with a corrupt government or change to a better, cleaner, more accountable government”.
“Not only to Taib, but to Najib … Sarawak wants change. They have had enough of the BN government and want to change to a cleaner government,” the Padungan winner said.
The DAP won 12 out of its 15 seats contested, while PKR took three. Their Islamist party, PAS, was wiped out in the race.
The BN swept 55 seats.
#1 by monsterball on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 2:58 am
Personally I am disappointed that party keDAILan did not performed as expected.
No use to say one seat improved by extra two more…and then be contented.
keDAILan is supposed to change the rural folks mentalities and mind set.
They have failed and that’s a fact.
The faster they sit and think about it..the real reasons will creep into their heads.
We know one reason is simple folks hates changes and accept their lifestyles as their fates and do not believe they have been robbed.as they are so poor …who wants to rob them?
Meanwhile…the crumps thrown back to them from those robbers and thieves..are apreciated and ever grateful.
How are you going to fight that?
Developments to those rural areas are purposely non existence .except better roads and claen water.electricity facilities.
All these are dressed up….but they stay poor and lifestyles as it was before.
It reminds me of the Red Indians in America.
#2 by ShiokGuy on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 3:18 am
Sadly my hometown.. N67 still fall to BN with 800+ majority.. sad//
#3 by monsterball on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 3:21 am
And so….the same will happen in West Malaysia rural areas…clean water….better electricity and TV facilities…better roads….but lifestlye stay the same with lots of mosques…another old lifestyle where folks gather around and talk with hot drinks.waiting for next prayer time during weekends.
And all these are greatly appreciated…and comes election time…goodies…money ad more good news given.
How do you expect them to vote for a change?
No doubt PR must keep educating them about corruptions and affecting their children’s futures….but they are happy right now and may tell PR..let their children plan their own futures.
If the power of TRUTHS have made many Christain sects now no need to believe Jesus is God and be good Christains …based on their great faith in the Bible…waking up thgis powerful religion to march forward in modern times….why can’t PR lead the old minds to change and march forward too?
No ease…but not impossible…..if you have a team of freedoim figthers that work day and night to be with them…to be like them and get thier confidences to listen to changes…once they know you are a true friend.
No use to work on and off periodically..and for 2 weeks and hope to change mind sets…planted for more than 30 years.
If PR feels thay can only hope to be a strong Opposition after 13th GE…then UMBO B deserves to rule forever.
#4 by monsterball on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 3:34 am
RP must have a team of dedicated young Malaysians going to all villages and seek jobs to be with them and spread the good news.
Yes…thousands of missionay of hope volunteers looking for jobs ..to live with them…is one powerful way to win confidences.
I did not say…win votes..as spreading TRUTHS..no need selfish ulterior motives.
Once they understand…leave the rest to God.
This message is directed to Anwar..Nik Aziz..to fight the Devils which is their own race.
#5 by hallo on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 8:12 am
All Malaysians should feel a SHAME
Malaysians knew there were website attacked, people barred entry, cabinet
Malaysians knew there were VOTE buying and cheating corruption
Malaysians can’t do a thing to practice laws to them
Even the EC was closed one eye as a EC of Injustice
All Malaysians should feel a SHAME in principle of democratic and JUSTICE
Malaysians have to call those dishonour people the honorable and praise them vvip
All Malaysians should feel a SHAME as a human being
#6 by yhsiew on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 8:35 am
Najib knew his “Fixed Deposit” was slipping away from his fingers on seeing the huge Chinese turnout at the Opposition’s ceramah in Miri, Kuching, Sibu and other towns.
It was because of the huge turnout that Najib decided to bring his whole Cabinet to Sarawak to help in the election campaign.
#7 by Fair Play on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 9:18 am
our heartiest congratulations to the opposition for their tenacity . they have done very well considering the heavy odds stacked up against them.
indeed malaysians should feel very ashamed as ” hallo ” has said, especially those successful young malaysians who do not think at all about anything except to further their career and enhance personal wealth. many from this group do not even bother to use their vote.that is how pathetic things are in Malaysia.
as for money politics, it is an evil that will not go away. when will the ruling party ever run out of money? the country’s coffers are a bottomless pit for them to dig into. run out of money- sell more government bonds , and the greedy rakyat would scramble to put their money there for the high interest paid, not bothering that future generations will have to pay back.
as a Perakian, i am truly worried that Perak will forget the Perak power grab. plenty of goodies are being handed out everyday, and even a certain despicable frog is welcome where ever she goes because she is given bags of money to dish out .
people know no shame when money is there for the taking.
Help save Perak and save our pride as decent human beings.
#8 by HJ Angus on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 10:25 am
Congrats to DAP for once again showing it is the most consistent party as it is based on a sound principles.
Stay true to those principles and I am sure you will do better in the GE.
For PKR they need to go back to the drawing board – no sense shooting for the moon when your rocket engine is powerful enough only for an earth orbit.
All parties need to develop sound political principles and move away from being dependent on personality cults.
#9 by hallo on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 11:59 am
Don’t INSULT human being bought by RM50-300 for VOTE like an animal or dog feed by the RM50-300 in 4-5 years a time.
Put human being ashame.
Oh come here…do you want daddy feed you RM50
Yes…..bark…bark…bark
Good Dog
#10 by k1980 on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 12:39 pm
Will Tian Chua (again) demand to swap the 12 seats won by the DAP with 12 lost by PKR in the next elections? Why contest in 49 seats when you can win in only 3?
#11 by AhPek on Sunday, 17 April 2011 - 8:54 pm
Let’s hope PKR will learn a lesson; ie not to take on more than it can chew.There’s the coming 13th GE and we hope by then PKR can wise up to reality and not to get into unnecessary demands to get more seat allocations in their negogiations with DAP even to the extent of resulting in 3 corner fights like what happened in the 2008 GE!