Political scientist Dr. Bridget Welsh in her article “The myths of Sarawak polls results” in Malaysiakini today has debunked two myths about the 416 Sarawak general elections:
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That the Chinese voters supported the Opposition while the non-Chinese voters endorsed the Barisan Nasional; and
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That the Opposition received support only in the urban areas while the rural areas are the haven of Barisan Nasional.
Nothing can be further from the truth in both cases.
The 416 Sarawak general elections saw not just a Chinese swing against the Barisan Nasional but also by other communities as well.
Bridget said preliminary findings of the 416 Sarawak general elections highlight that “the movement is greatest in mixed constituencies”, stressing:
“No question about it, a growing number of Chinese supported the opposition in Sarawak. The interesting finding from the results, however, is that they are not alone, and in fact the Chinese swing toward the opposition is comparatively less (yes, less) than the changes within other communities.”
This is borne out by BN losing three Dayak-majority seats and the slashing of Barisan victory margins in other Iban seats to an all-time low.
The Bidayuh seats were most impressive – for although Pakatan Rakyat failed to win a single one of the Bidayuh seats, there was a 17.9% swing in the Bidayuh votes in favoour of the Opposition!
The second myth that the Opposition received support only in urban areas was smashed by two results:
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Pakatan Rakyat victory in two very rural seats – Ba’kelalan and Krian; and
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Pakatan Rakyat victory in Batu Kawah, Dudong and Piasau which have large semi-rural areas.
According to Bridget’s preliminary analysis at the seat level, the gains in semi-rural seats were more than in the other areas: 19.7% compared to 14.8% in the rural areas and 13.4% in the urban communities.
These are all very encouraging and even inspiring pointers for the Pakatan Rakyat in the next great electoral contest in Sarawak – the 13th national general elections which would be held within months.
In the past few days, I have been receiving emails from supporters expressing their hope for the future and expectations of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat in Sarawak.
A.Jong wrote from Perth urging the DAP to uphold the rights of Malaysians and not just the urban Chinese.
I want to assure Jong that right from the very first day of our formation 45 years ago DAP had been fighting for the rights and interests of all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, geography or socio-economic status.
Admittedly, thanks to enemy propaganda in the controlled mass media in the past decades, DAP is projected and perceived by some as a Chinese party.
This is a perception that the DAP must eliminate so that all Malaysians can accept and support us as a political movement committed to the betterment of the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region.
Sarawak DAP cannot rest on its laurels having won 12 seats in the 416 Sarawak state general elections but must prepare immediately for the 13th national general elections which is not far off.
From now till the 13th national general elections, DAP leaders, members and supporters must work with Pakatan Rakyat partners to reach out to all Sarawakians including Ibans/Dayaks and Malay/Melanaus.
In the 13th national general elections, we should avoid any multi-cornered contests which can only benefit the Barisan Nasional and for this reason, I would even suggest that DAP and SNAP should seriously consider a merger of the two political parties to accelerate Iban/Dayak political awakening following the 416 Sarawak general elections.
Is SNAP trustworthy enough to be DAP’s partner?
The merger may cause a lot of headaches to DAP if SNAP MPs jump ship to BN, one by one, after PR takes over Sarawak.
good idea actually! thought it is not advisable.
can see that sarawakians prefer “c” or “dayaK” more to lead them, instead of “m”. most of them have mix religions and they feel more comfortable if either one lead them. when chatting on certain political websites, i do notice, they are not happy when another “pr” party take more seats. even thought i told them, they’re in the same group. yet, they still prefer “dap” to lead. probably, because we like to eat “kerbau pendek”.
salam…
Before even thinking of talking about mergers, DAP should find out and make sure that SNAP is into politics for the money ($$$) or for serving the Rakyat and to protect the interest of the country. That will prevent DAP from the mistake of having kataks on board in the event of a merger.
It would be neat to have SNAP dissolved and their members join DAP. That would prevent a future breakup when BN tries to buy SNAP off. Besides as a party within a party, there would be no end to demanding for seats like they fought PKR in the state election.
Educate, inform all rural folks in East n West M’sia – liberate them fr d fear of BN n obligation they felt towards BN, so dat they can make an informed choice 4 themselves
Free them fr d feudalistic system dat they imagine they r under: Tell them they r d BOSSES of BN, not d serfs of BN; DON’T let BN make them forever poor
///MCA president Chua Soi Lek today defended his statements calling for SUPP to reject posts in the Sarawak cabinet, saying he would do the same should they fare badly in the next general election…///–Malaysiakini
That is a challenge to Chinese Malaysians. We should make sure that MCA lose heavily in the 13th GE so that no MP would be from MCA to be made Minister. The MCA will have to leave BN. Even if MCA claims then that it is in the government but the world knows then that government policies are made by Malays. UMNO will have to explain to the world that such policies are not discriminatory and they cannot then claim that Chinese parties had agreed to them.
The last thing PR should do is allowed further 3 corner fight.
Yes, as PR supporter, it is disheartening to see PKR going head on with SNAP. Yup, you may say the party might jump ship later. But how sure that your own member wouldn’t jump ship like the lady frog in Perak? Let them jump, rakyat will be more pissed off with BN in time to come. How long they can jump, how long money politics can last. In time to come, 5yr 10yr down the road people getting smarter and hence will sack the party.
Again, never ever accept any frog member from the other side again. If PR ever form the government after 13th GE, first thing you guys should do is getting rid of party hopping. Whoever want to hop have to give up their seats and call for re-election. That is justice to Rakyat Malaysia. Don’t rob from voters aka rakyat Malaysia again. We shall condemn and sack you in time to come.
Ground news from Sarawak tat ever formal supporters, leaders and members of SUPP also sacked the party. MCA time is numbered.
Good analysis. Interesting idea.
Hi Kit, an idea worth considering by your party.
It is time for DAP to show that they are for all Malaysians. If it works out, it will help in our march to Putrajaya.
It is time to change the tenant at Putrajaya, and soon. The way they are plundering the country.
I think there shouldn’t be a merger between DAP and SNAP.
1) What makes you think SNAP is not Trojan horse in the disguise of an “Opposition Party”? All you could discover later on when they are in power, they would do a “Hee Yit Foong”, being “bought-over” either for internal political bickering or for political self-interest.
2) If SNAP could not negotiate with PKR for seat allocation before the Sarawak state election, what makes you think they would cooperate in merging with DAP? What political interest could they derive out of this? For all they knew, they are blaming PRK for losing their deposits! Is DAP going to force SNAP to become partner in PR via merger and forcing them to work with PKR and PAS?
3) You will find the PKR as an example that DAP should not be merging with SNAP. Most PKR leaders and members are former UMNO members as well as followers and supporters of Anwar Ibrahim when he is in the government. Anwar later formed PKR together with his loyalists and supporters. But later they had a fallout with Anwar. See what happens? There are too many examples. Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim, Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng, Bagan Serai MP Mohsin Hj. Samsuri, Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin and Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong plus some ex-PKR state assemblymen which had either jump ship to UMNO or become independents. Where are their loyalty? Where are their integrity in fighting for the rights of the people and standing up for the party? What do you think the people now perceived PKR to be? PKR a political party of frogs?
It is too much of a risk for a merger than benefits!
///“As regards to the decision of the MCA to take up government posts after the 2008 general election despite the setback suffered by the MCA, I wish to reiterate that it was not my call.
“I was then not the party president,” Dr Chua said in a statement today.
“I cannot comment on a decision that has been decided by my predecessor (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat),” he stressed.
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He insisted that the MCA had always followed the wishes of the country’s ethnic Chinese community.
“Should the MCA suffer the same fate, as in the 2008 polls, in the next general election, the MCA central committee will then have to deliberate on its position in the federal and state government,” Dr Chua said.///–MalaysiaInsider
Chua Soi Lek implies that the central committee had no say as to whether MCA should leave BN, and it was Ong Tee Keat alone who made the decision. So the next time around, CSL would say that the central committee decided to stick with BN.
Why wait for the GE to decide quitting when as president now he can change the decision of OTK?
The Chinese want MCA out of BN. Why wait for the next election? Just get lost and support the opposition party in the next election, and be a Chinese.
The problems facing Chinese community originate from the failure of MCA leaders to demand fair play. They have no balls to do that because there are MACC cases waiting for them should they make a move.
I dare CSL to tell Najib to end NEP which is 20 years overdue, or else leave the government if an announcement to that effect is not made within six months.
If CSL does that, his deputy LTL will be made MCA chief, and CSL will have to face charges of unnatural sex. CSL should not talk big when he is so small.
Our BROTHERS and SISTERS (Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu etc) are grateful to the government for protecting their rights…..Hence they are so passionate and loyal to the country…. No reason for them to change… Give a big around of applause to our BROTHERS and SISTERS in Sarawak for their WISE and RATIONALE decisions to stand firmed with BARISAN…
GOD bless THE LAND OF HORNBILL
Pornoactor CSL called upon SUPP not to accept any post from BN And what about hypocrites MCA during 2008 willingly grapping post given by BN.First of all
the seats won by MCA were given with the courtesy of UMNO in Malay majority areas.That is why MCA has a meek voice in BN.Shame on you CSK.Pots calling the kettle black.Remember MCA was thrashed and walloped soundly losing all the urban seats.
The way to win is to cooperate with Dayak party SNAP leaders who are sincere steadfast to fight for native rights and not easily swayed by money politics or self interest.Caution must be taken to filter and screen all potential candidates to accept only those who are principled and staunch supporters of Pakatan Rakyat.Start now and spread into the interior fast to serve to reach out to the indigenous people with sincerity and goodwill and the path to Putrajaya will achievable.
Is actually not a bad move. However members in SNAP should be screen and interview to avoid SNAP jumping ship to BN. SarawakReport.org had reported that SNAP was finance by BN during the Sarawak election. I do think most DAP supporter have concern on the matter of integrity.
Yo man.This article fired me with Ubah.Fight the battle all the way to Putrajaya by grabbing BN’s seats and return them each toilet seat,then send them to their respective isolated cell alone.With or without electricity,up to you,sir LKS.
Najib is moving from the ridiculous to the bizarre.
Every single Malaysian with an internet connection has an email account so what is the use of another 1Malaysia account?
Is it just to prop up a dying listed crony company?
In any case I don’t wanna 1Malaysia account cos the name sounds eerie and anti non-Malay.
DAP success in rural areas…will no doubt get more amd more trying to prove DAP is a racist party….starting by non other than Mahathiir.
To me.the more educated tey are….be it any race…respect and trust DAP more than UMNO B. Which party promote one race?
DAP hve members of all races….so does PAS and keDAILan.
Show me one different race in UMNO B ..MCA and MIC..as active member.
A.Jong should be better informed…before concluding.
Of course man!You’re absolutely right!Nobody is racist except those ruling elites with vested interest political gain.Go back to your controversy Dr.Hsu forum and get ready to fire..anyway i hate that ‘wisely’ screwed up nut-talking blardy hell shit.Moderated yesterday but if i’m free..
I believe this proposal should be considered very seriously as BN loved to stick DAP solely with the Chinese Voters. With such an approach, let more Sarawakians come on board DAP. SNAP has been weakened too long and it would take too much time for them to rebuild itself. With DAP as partners, the approach to a single Malaysian concept would be further enhanced! Sincerely believe with better communication to the Sarawakians they will learn a lot faster!
Blardi no principle CSL, talk cork only, d moment he was AmSiEh president, his son (only a 1st time MP) cepat bcame a deputy minister, what garbage advice 2 SUPP
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/soi-lek-defends-son-denies-deal-with-najib
Obviously having SNAP under the PR banner has its advantages and disadvantages, some of which are already pointed out by commentators. I think PR should not actively court SNAP but should SNAP express interest to join they should be given due consideration.
There were two major factors why PR could not deny BN the 2/3 majority. One is the failure of the UBAH message getting across to rural voters who have been kept in the dark all these years. The other is of course dirty tricks from BN and Taib. The recent Sarawak election is in fact a blessing in disguise as it not only gave the opposition hope and indicated to them their increasing acceptance in Sarawak but also showed the hands and dirty tricks of Taib and BN. This allowed the opposition to analyse the robust defence put up so that plans can be devised to demolish them in the coming general election.
PR will have to work hard from now to ensure that the UBAH message penetrate deep into the rural areas to gardner support. PR should start raising massive amount of funds to neutralise the money politics of BN and Taib. The support of PR is widespread and I do not for a moment doubt that they can raise millions to help ensure a victory in the GE. All they need to do is ask! PR will need lots of supporters manpower to neutralise the intimidation, harrassment and foul play of BN and cronies. They basically have to be everywhere to ensure that the ballot boxes are not hijacked and changed.
DAP has to ubah its’ impression on people. It has to ubah people’s concept that it has its’ historical links. Strangely, many Malaysians think of Singapore as developed and Singaporeans themselves are also thinking of a change.
PR does not have enough Christians to carry out the mission of helping the Dayaks. Even the white priests could be successful in turning the Dayaks into Christians, why PR could not transform them from believing in BN-God to PR-God?
A pot calling the kettle black. >>UMNO is a racist party(only Malay can participate). Do you see it open to any other races?No Way!!Other race dont get involve.
DAP PKR on the other hand are opened to all races(Malay Chinese Indain and Natives of Sarawak Sabah) and same for PKR and has other races in the party besides malay.
Why can’t these Moron Umnoist Mahatir and Kakis accept the truth that Racism and Corruption rooted from BN Umno and the minority Native Indians and Chinese in Malaysia had been rejecting the corrupted Umno ruled Kerajaan .
Chief Minister Pek Moh had corrupted Billions of $US in Swiss Banks account and all Umno PBB BN cronies who are siphoning millions from the poor people of Malaysia.
Look At SarawakSabah Development damn pitiful in urban rural area basic amenities std damn too lacking and poor >>Najib Pls see for yrself while visited BaKelalan,Telang usan Baram Lawas Kapit Song Ranau,Keningau Kaula Penyu before the polling day, esp in these 2 states full of natural resources.
BTW where has all the Taxpayer money gone?Supposed to built hospitals schools and children playgrounds.
Frankly speaking If there is a Malay, Chinese ,natives or Indian leader who is not corrupted, we all will vote for him/her regardless of his party race .
We reject /do not care about racist politics except for a party that can be transparent and get the job done. See what DAP Lim Guan Eng did over in Penang thus has shown the rest of Malaysia how to run a state efficiently and with full transparency.
Nik Aziz and PAS has shown the rest of Malaysia how to run Kelantan in a non corrupted way.
Stop and take a good Look at these Hawks of Umno PBB BN has been trying to discredit Guan Eng ever since DAP took Penang but it has been futile because there is no dirty laundry to hang out to dry.
LGE had done what is good for his state and people and will certainly continue to do so more…This is economic Principle of growth and share values among all liberal society.regardless of race religion.
>>>After Voters seeing how DAP conduct their policies and learning from it. If DAP continues to take care of the rakyat regardless of their race, it will be a formidable party in the next election. The people wants this kind of leadership.
Umno BN can harp as much as they want to try frighten the less educated Malays ,Ibans Kadazan and all natives into thinking that DAP is a racist party.
Eventually, results will overcome racial politics.
PR must continue to Take care of the people and they will come back to you.
Again We all Kudos to PR in the coming 13 th GE Nation wide.
Lets put something out there. We Chinese, anywhere, while we have out weaknesses and bias, are capable of great humanism no matter what anyone else says. The great thinkers of our kind have throughout history, shows great liberal thinking. We may not be highly liberal but that does not mean we cannot be liberal. It is part of our strength.
Our conservativeness which include parochialism may be what gives us incredible accumulation of wealth BUT we have always recognised that liberal principles is what create wealth to be accumulated in the first place.
Our greatest, leaders including business leaders were incredibly liberal minded about society and community – many of our own Malaya rag-to-riches leaders practiced incredible liberal principles such as Tan Kah Kee, Lee Kong Chian, Tan Cheng Lock and many others.
Even the nemesis of Mahathir’s Malay-right ideology, Lee Kuan Yew, not without parochial weakness, has defended Malay rights in Singapore even as he practises ruthless meritocracy.
DAP has been labeled as a Chinese party purely out of shortage of political capital. NOT as a matter of its ideal or idealogy. With enough political capital, DAP would truly be the real 1Malaysia party, without reservation, I declare that in fact the only one capable of upholding it in the long run in this country.
Yes. High time for DAP to play a larger role. And merger with SNAP is one method in the right direction worthwhile considering seriously.
So I say, yes get on with it.
Green Light.
Kudos to DAP who had made inroads to Sarawak. It can be shown from the results that DAP is continuing to become relevant to the struggle there. PKR must had been a laughing stock thinking they would want to be have their own Chief Minister there, contesting for the most seats while getting the only 3 seats in the end. PKR could only be seen as another form of neo-colonialism from Peninsular apart from BN, while PAS is a bye-bye in a state where radical nonsense Islamic thinking is rejected (and other religions would like to have a say too). Time for DAP to realize that the “alliance” may have worked in Peninsular, but DAP is the sole “fighter” in Borneo.
At the same time, BN is trying to change too. So it is just a matter of time to see who will emerge victorious for this continuous struggle of change.
It is very very difficult for DAP to go in road into Sabah and Sarawak. How many in DAP are actually able to speak the local dialect, spend enough time to understand the rural needs etc? The way to go is to tie up with local parties, let the local handle/manage their own issue, feedback/giving advise to DAP (of course you have to verify facts and friction), choose caliber and trustworthy locals (there are not many but do you have a choice) as 13th GE coming very soon. You guys have not much time left.
Guess whoever read this from PR, we Rakyat Malaysia don’t heck care who rule the day, end of the day (hopefully aft 13th GE or latest 14th GE), we just want to see an equally strong 2 party system set up in this nation in order to bring the country to the next level. This country need check and balance. No party or individual shall have absolute power.
We personally donate money to DAP, PAS and PKR. We are not members of neither one above. We just want to see all opposition parties work together as a team and bring down this corrupted regime. Period.
Nobody independent can challenge BN alone.
Think hard to work hand in hand with SNAP to make in roads. Win-win for both sides. Before 2008, people said PAS-DAP can never collaborate. Just proof them wrong sir.
Whoever jump ship they might ‘win’ in short term, but mid-long term people will remember what they did to the voters and condemn the party to eternal.
You have limited time and resources sirs.
Pallot esolins
Got news tat rural roads were damaged prior election, penghulus were threaten tat they will be replaced, allowance cut etc etc if white hair lost … did you guys heard abt these last week?
If not, time to engage the locals to do ground work, give them security and assurance that after election, their needs/security will be protected/covered.
Else, PR will forever lose in the interior.
Dear All,
We all know that in politics nothing is permanent. Politicians are suppossed to fight for a cause, be it for a fair or fairer government (in the case of Pakatan Rakyat) or a government that prefer to web tales of lies and half truths. For example, many pro-Pakatan supporters were seen to be troubled and aghast with the recently twist of allegiance by Raja Petra. But then again, why don’t they feel that Raja Petra has probably just realized that the country is no longer interested in the truth of Altantuya case or Anwar’s current pursuits are no longer in line with his. Hence Raja Petra thought it fit to move on so that he could remain relevant. For example, Tengku Razaleigh who continues to bask on past achievements and live in the past while young leaders and voters are no longer interested in the past any more. Consequently, not many people talk about him these days. However, Dr. Mahathir is smart enough to move with times. He capitalized on the current good economics sentiments to launch his memoirs of half truths about his governing style. And today, the rakyat revered him, having forgotten how they suffered during his regime.
Similarly DAP has to move on with the times. Leaders from Pakatan Rakyat should as well. Let us not bask on past achievements or even things which were already 30 or 40 years on. Is good to once a while talk about it but if one were to go around talking about them at every ceramahs then I certainly believe the end is near for the party.
Regardless whether SNAP accepts the merger or NOT, DAP should be creating a Dayak wing in Sarawak, give a stated goal of making it the biggest wing in Sarawak and DAP Sarawak being headed by a Dayak as the long term ideal..
Yes, DAP should create members of Orang2 Asli. DAP should invite rural people to join them and lead by non Chinese as head like Baru Bian heads Keadilan.
Since Sarawak is mostly non Chinese, non Chinese Sarawakian should lead DAP. That would give a better picture for Sarawakians to see the justice and righteousness that Sarawakian is in charge of DAP.
Alternatively work closely with Baru Bian , the head of Keadilan.
Rural people in Sarawk are poor and do not have computer. They are poor because Taib has robbed Sarawak.
Pakatan Rakyat should not print out Taib’s property photos at http://www.sarawakreport.org and send to each long house head.
It is time to visit each long house and be prepared for parlimental seat election.
Pakatan should NOW print photos of Taib’s property listed at http://www.sarawakreport.org and send to each long house and each rural community head.