Sarawak polls start to turn murky: BN begins using threats
The death of a senior Customs officer in the MACC premises in the peninsula has thrown him out on a loop as far as national opinion of him is concerned.
In Sarawak, his back is also to the wall.
As campaigning in the 10th Sarawak state election moves into top gear, he has begun attacking DAP with full force by using barely veiled threats that urge the Chinese in the state to vote the BN.
Otherwise, their participation in the economy and laws of the state will be buried. Failure to vote BN will render the Sarawak Chinese voiceless and impotent! Or so, Najib and his minions insist.
But it only shows that time and time again, top Umno leaders like Najib do not understand the Chinese psyche. He does not seem to realize that the Chinese detest threats.
Perhaps his advisors in MCA and Gerakan have failed to get through to him, or perhaps they are the ones who have reinforced in him and the rest of the Umno elite that the Chinese prefer cushy jobs and material comforts to all else!
Whichever the reason, MCA's president Chua Soi Lek has been quick to try and cover-up for his own ineffectiveness. Chua says that the Chinese sentiment in Sarawak is not reflective of the community's sentiment in the peninsula. This was immediately picked up and reported in the government-controlled mainstream newspapers to continue the mirage that the BN is invincible.
Chinese have made up their minds
In the Sibu by-election in May last year, Najib tried to buy his way into the hearts of voters at Rejang Park with his infamous 'deal-or-no deal' campaign. This backfired on him eventually and solid proof that most Chinese have minds of their own.
Malaysia Chronicle spoke to PKR's Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye who has also been actively campaigning in Sarawak the past week. Dr Lee said the response from the Chinese is the best so far as they seem to have made up their minds in going for change.
"It is the Ibans, Malay-Melanaus and Bidayuhs that we need to convince now. They seem reluctant to go for change as they are more inclined to believe in the saying - 'the devil that you know is better'. Still, they are more willing to listen to our campaigners this time around compared to the previous state election. They seem to be more open but it will take time for them to come around," Lee told Malaysia Chronicle.
BN campaigners have also been threatening the Ibans, Malay-Melanau and the Bidayuhs. They reiterate that only BN can bring them progress and development. Whereas Pakatan campaigners ask, "why then is there is still abject poverty in the interiors?"
Still uphill in the interior regions
The credibility of Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud is at also stake because despite BN's mantra of 'progress and prosperity', things have remained the same.
"Taib is a cunning old fox. His government uses a cunning ploy to deceive the indigenous people. They will grab a large tract of land with the help of the various government agencies and they will allot to the natives only a small corner of it. When the people see this, they become very happy but they are blissfully unaware that a major part of this land is now in the hands of the BN cronies when it should rightfully belong to their future generations," said Lee.
PKR's Bukit Lanjan asemblywoman Elizabeth Wong has also been busy helping the Pakatan campaign in East Malaysia. She has been highlighting to the tribal people there the equal treatment given by the Pakatan-helmed Selangor state government to the Orang Asli, who have their land rights restored to them.
PKR and PAS who are working round the clock campaigning to the natives face an uphill battle. It will take time but the winds of change are already blowing in Sarawak and polling day on April 16 may spring a small surprise. - Malaysia Chronicle
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