Sibu polls a litmus test for Sarawak BN
(Free Malaysia Today) – The Sibu by-election will be the litmus test for the Sarawak state election which must be held before June 2011, according to Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.
For a start, it will be a benchmark of the support the opposition has gained since the last election.
A win will give DAP the confidence that urban Chinese Sarawakians will be on their side in the coming state election.
“The numbers will also tell of Barisan Nasional’s strength. A change of leadership here will spread like wind and set the tone for the state election,” Yong said.
The DAP is focused on winning over the youths, women and natives.
Women make up 53% of voters in Sibu while natives Melanau, Iban and others make up some 20%. Malays occupy another 20% of the demographics.
“We’re aiming for the young. We’re asking all those working outside of Sibu to return home to cast their votes.
“We need them here because they normally vote for DAP,” she said.
She said it was also important for this group to show the BN that they were being “forced” out of their hometown to seek a living elsewhere because there are no opportunities in Sibu or in Sarawak for that matter.
She accused the BN of failing to prevent the brain drain in the state.
