Sarawak wakes up to a new dawn
A new dawn has descended on Sarawak with DAP’s triumph in yesterday’s Sibu parliamentary by-election. Now, the voice of the Chinese electorate is heard loud and clear.
Written by Zainal Epi, Free Malaysia Today
SIBU: A new dawn has descended on Sarawak with DAP’s triumph in yesterday’s Sibu parliamentary by-election. Now, the voice of the Chinese electorate is heard loud and clear.
DAP’s flag-bearer Wong Ho Leng defeated BN’s Robert Lau Hui Yew by 398 votes.
All these years the Chinese have been complacent and even seemed to be “under control”, but when Sibu went to the polls, they showed their mettle: they discarded the “politics of loyalty and patronage” and opted for a “new life”.
Mainly business-oriented people, the Chinese see a “new awakening” by actively participating in the political process and making known their stand to the ruling political masters who have long held sway over the fate of Sarawak.
In Pakatan Rakyat, they found an alternative platform to air their long-standing grouses, and to send a message to the Barisan Nasional. In DAP, Pakatan’s partner, they see a true friend who can fight for their well-being.
In the 2008 general election, the DAP lost by some 3,000 votes, but in yesterday’s electoral battle, the party’s relentless efforts in influencing the hearts and minds of Chinese paid off.
The opposition party saw its support among them increase by some 3,000-odd votes, while the BN coalition lost about 1,500-odd votes from the community.
The support came mainly from Chinese-dominated state seats of Pelawan and Bawang Assan, while in the Malay-dominated state seat of Nangka, the electorate hung on to BN.
‘Taib hate factor’
The success of the DAP in spreading its influence has also to do with the “Taib hate factor”. Chief Minister Taib Mahumd was portrayed as a “corrupt” leader who allegedly practised nepotism and cronyism in his administration.
There was also the question of land premiums. The high premiums for renewal of the land lease has long been a thorn in the side of the Chinese business community. It has also burdened the middle-class Chinese who lived in the commercial area but do not conduct business.
What is most telling about the election is the emergence of the young voters. Numbering about 3,000, they had also contributed to DAP’s victory. Being exposed to all the issues at federal and state levels, these Internet-savvy generation knew exactly what were at stake.
