Sarawak Dayaks bracing for Change

After the Sarawak State Elections where the opposition parties had, especially DAP made inroads into Sarawak's urban constituencies, things have quietened down. BN is still the overall "ruler" and Sarawakians, whether they like it or not, have to live with the old bearded Chief Minister popularly known as "white hair" or "pek mo" in Chinese. He's still the powerful figure around the state, a person respected by many and also hated by a few. I neither like nor hate the man. Corruption aside, he's just another man who knows how to play politics, doing what many would do if they are given the very same opportunity. He's able to stay in power principally due to the support from the Dayaks.

The State may soon see a new party emerging, talks are that a group of disgruntled SUPP leaders may be behind the formation of this supposedly "pro" BN group. It's a Chinese group with a sprinkle of Dayak leaders supporting the idea, the Dayaks sadly are divided and their interest in politics have thrown them in everyone's court.Their 2 leaders who were honoured recently with "Tan Sris" remain the "Mambo Jambos" of Dayak politics in Sarawak. They are "caged" birds of the Taib establishment.

Other Dayak leaders love to be bystanders, although some intellectuals would howl aimlessly at the system but not actively participating in the political arena. A few have of late emerged and aligning themselves with Pakatan Rakyat. It is interesting to watch their movements, gauge their thoughts in the next few months before the next GE. Like rabbits, some are already coming out of their hideouts, eager to make known their intentions for equality.

The new breed of Dayak leaders have a long journey ahead. For now, it is how they can convince the rural folks in the rural areas that matters most. It is the poor rural folks who need to be inspired with "change". And deprived of the mainstream media, these rural Dayaks are easily waylaid by sweet promises, a tactic that has been applied by BN and was effective. BN has taken them for granted all these years. Will they now brace for change?

Defeated Sarawak Political Parties

The Sarawak National Party (SNAP) has been asked to “close shop” by an SPDP vice President and it was headlines in a local tabloid a few days back. This little boy gesture for them to "tutup kedai" is seen as an embarrassment.

SNAP is today left far behind politically in the State with zero seats in the State cabinet, so nobody cares about this oldest political group whether they close shop or not or do whatever they want to do. Everyone knows that it is led by a bunch of disgruntled politicians who have made some failed strategies. They are obviously fading out, losing all their deposits except for 1 state constituency in the recently concluded State Elections.

The party that could fall into the same trap is SUPP or Sarawak United Peoples Party, the oldest Chinese based Party which always claimed to be "multi-racial" with tongue in cheek. This Party will soon be fated to go too if they still carry on with their make believe that the Chinese electorates are behind them. Their days are numbered with the Chinese having made their voice heard loud and clear that their choice today is DAP. With only 2 Chinese YBs left in the State Cabinet representing them, SUPP should re-examined their set-up internally, come down to earth and accept the fact that they are now a “defeated” foe of DAP. They have to change their ways and face facts.

DOMINO EFFECT in 5 years Time

It’s normal for some ruffling to take place after any Elections. The recently concluded Sarawak State Elections caused a few raised eyebrows because BN has lost some ground, luck appeared to be on PBB’s side, they managed to win in all their contested constituencies with reduced majorities in many areas where they have been known to dominate.

SUPP’s outgoing Chairman Dr. George Chan today called on the party to inject new blood by giving the younger lot to lead the Chinese based party. He’s banking on a Doctor who lost in the Election to take over from him. Surely, this gesture would annoy his other senior counterparts namely Wong Soon Koh and Peter Chin, Ministers and veterans who can be upgraded to the post quite easily by virtue of their seniority. Strictly speaking, the Chinese in Sarawak have lost trust on their once strong party.

PRS is also without their own trouble as their YB Joseph Mauh is accused by a Tuai Rumah of giving bounced checks. The video clip is on “you tube” interestingly. PRS lost Pelagus and cannot assume their role as the spokesman of the Dayaks anymore.

SPDP’s President Mawan is left with only 3 YBs who might support him and come the next TGA may see the band of 5 dethroning him as Party President. Many know him as not being a man of his words and lacking principles, so he has to be wary of what he does in the appointment of his Political Secretaries soon. But one thing is for certain, he has to stop his drinking habits.

BN has really to pull up their socks to win convincingly in the next parliamentary general Election in Sarawak. The people of Sarawak are waking up and the rural sectors will be the next target of the opposition. They have already captured 2 seats in the sub rural, so going rural is just a matter of time. Sarawak will experience the DOMINO EFFECT in 5 years time. BN is losing their grip in this Oil rich State deprived of mainstream development.

A Blessing in Disguise

Winning is one and losing seats to the opposition is another. While BN may rejoice at winning, it is no guarantee that the so called “fixed deposit” will stay for them. The cue is already there, the beginning of BN’s unpopularity has started and is spreading in Sarawak.

Reduced majorities in many rural areas where BN once controlled outright cannot be brushed aside. Khairy, the UMNO Youth Chief realized that “something” went wrong for BN to experience its worst loss in Sarawak. He's right!

To lose seats in the urban areas is indeed a concern and a blow to BN. They know it without admitting it obviously. Urban voters are amongst the educated and the contention that BN has won and that the victory endorses Taib’s leadership may not really be true.

DAP has managed to spearhead the challenge in all the urban areas namely Kuching, Sibu and Miri, destroyed the President of SUPP and doubled their seats in the house. Opposition PKR secured 3 seats and unseated the Deputy President of SPDP in a rural constituency means the political struggle for Change is already spreading to the interior of Sarawak.

There is a mild celebration of victory on the additional seats amongst the opposition camps, their mission to break BN’s stranglehold is accomplished. They have begun the war for change. And the next battle is the Parliamentary Elections in Sarawak.

Will it be a Black Saturday

BN is trailing in many constituencies based on "real" happenings on the ground in both the urban and rural areas of Sarawak. The State Elections is going to be a very hard fought battle and voters are the ones ultimately going to decide the fate of Sarawak on Saturday, 16th of April amid all the political “heavyweights” from both BN and opposition PR coming to Sarawak to spread their propaganda from West Malaysia.

Come what may, it doesn’t look too good for a few PBB areas like Jepak, Lambir and Telang Usan. It is reported that even Jabu may be slayed. After a few decades, the once formidable PBB may shed tears on Saturday night. SUPP will have to brace itself for more “defeats” at the hands of DAP and their President George Chan contesting in the State constituency of Piasau will perhaps be the biggest casualty in this Elections. Their Repok seat may also fall from the feedback I received lately.

PRS is also said to be in trouble and may lose 1 or 2 seats which will be bad news for Masing. He may lose Pelagus. Whilst SPDP will have to surrender at least 2 seats, their Deputy President Peter Nyarok is under heavy bombardment and Baru Bian in Ba Kelalan is expected to win hands down.

Saturday the 16th of April 2011 may go down into the History Books as the day Sarawakians decide that CHANGE must come. I may be wrong but what if I am right.

A WIND OF CHANGE

The current campaigns all over the State of Sarawak are quite somber from the feedback I got from friends on the ground. BN is still holding the magic wane whilst PKR is well way ahead as a crowd puller. Pulling crowds can be dangerous when you talk on the subject of changing for the sake of changing. People like to listen to new ideas which sometimes can be magically implanted in people’s minds hence detrimental to BN’s old and outdated style of politics. Crowds coming out to support the opposition means there's a wind of change sweeping the State.

And should BN loses out in more constituencies, perhaps experiencing tsunamis in areas they least expected to lose, it will be due to 2 old men leading the pack of wolves. The 2 old grey haired politicians, still harping their old tunes from the 70’s are physically no match against their younger opponents, only luck and a lot of money will see them pull through and win. You see, people are simply fed up with the 2 individuals, not so much that they hate BN, No. It is speculated that whilst the maestro Taib could win with a reduced majority, Georgy Boy could be slayed by a young DAPian in Miri.

Many BN incumbents are facing the onslaught of the “Anwar” plus “Guan Eng’s” tactics blue printed in Penang that they could be swept off their feet once and for all. Sarawak’s electorates, old and young are today getting braver, wiser and farsighted then say 5 or 10 years ago. Education has changed things, the media has changed things, and the Arab upheavals certainly have changed things. These are only some reasons that can make BN fall out of favour in many areas, both urban and rural. Old tactics don’t play well no more.

Let’s all wait for Saturday 16th of April for the results that are expected to shock you, me and everyone.

Will Predictions come through - A new Chief Minister for Sarawak?

Elections are always interesting for all those akin to politics and also a time for people to engage in fruitful arguments. Some may turn ugly, that's expected. Many people in Sarawak welcome it because they see it as a time to “make some money” too. But of course, BN will be quite generous with the people during such a time dishing out their “supersonic” projects, and by hook or by crook, just ask and you will likely get what you want. Fishing for votes is an old game plan.

The Sarawak National Party, better known as SNAP to the older generation may thwart their foes in the upcoming Elections, that is if they have learnt their lesson from the last one where they were thrashed except for one seat. But what is disturbing is the fact that PKR is also interested in this wrestling game for seats. Here it means trouble for SNAP and the Opposition if they cannot come to terms on the allocation of seats. Disunity will see them crumble. That said, I think SNAP is still a party that can score some victories, if given the chance to go 1 to 1 with BN.

SNAP’s President, Edwin Dundang who resides in Miri and a known figure in Baram from his days as District Officer in Marudi has announced that he will be the candidate for Marudi. Edwin has also released to the Press names of SNAP members who have been chosen to stand in Dayak majority areas. It certainly looks like SNAP is taking things seriously and well prepared to go to battle. With political veteran Tajem to chart the course, one really cannot predict the outcome and what they can do to win the hearts of the Dayaks. They are after all the oldest party in the state and their logo is still well accepted by the older folks of the Iban communities. Could they spring up some surprises?

DAP is really interested only in areas where the Chinese are the majority and as such will hold their fort and unseat SUPP in some more urban areas like Miri.

Because of PAS’s influence towards the muslims and Malays, PBB (Parti Bumiputera Bersatu) may see some defeats this time around if the right candidates from the Opposition pact are picked to challenge some of their old incumbents.

SPDP (some described as Semua Palau Dalam Pub - "palau" in Iban means drunk) has to pull up their socks and should they lose any seats in this Elections, it will be because of their “palau” habits. Their YBs drink too much except for the Group of 5 who are still, though quietly, very much against their President Mawan.

The Party that would still prove their mettle is PRS led by Dr. James Masing. This Iban based party is expected to win all seats.Their only big problem now is Pelagus where Larry Sng, the youngest member of Taib's cabinet, may be thrown in as a "direct" BN candidate. The BN leadership (CM and PM) can do what they like as far as choice of candidates go.

Having said all of the above, what is most dangerous for BN and can see BN losing out in Sarawak is the word CHANGE that has taken over people's minds in many parts of the world. The Opposition is blessed with this word and if we do get a new Chief Minister for Sarawak, whoever that maybe, it is Sarawakians going for CHANGE, no more no less.

SLAYING the 4-Star Generals - Election Fever

The Election fever has started in Sarawak and the BN seat of Pelagus is now red hot with incumbent Larry Sng playing his aces with the BN top leadership, much to the annoyance of PRS. Larry’s father, a flamboyant ex BN YB and millionaire, has been kicking up dust too. He made heads turn last month when he was seen at breakfast with Anwar which he has every damn right to do while at the same time, we know he’s standing solidly behind his son whom Taib has described as a loyalist of BN. I would think that the business of politics covers too wide a spectrum for loyalty to be proven. In this case, it’s Father and Son so “blood is always thicker than water”.

BN can still win the coming elections if rural voters, especially the Dayaks consolidate their support of Taib’s leadership and style of governance. But will they? The Dayaks are once simple minded folks who have a good track record of supporting the “Dacing”. In days gone by, BN’s flags mean everything to them. It was their rice bowl. But things have changed over the last 5 years owing to the mainstream media. Most Dayaks are now aware of what really is going on, that they may sway and allow for sympathy votes for the opposition. This is because issues like the NCR Land disputes and biased logging activities are today well within their grasp. Moreover, many have today become successful entrepreneurs from the oil palm business that they may not need BN's support anymore for a livelihood.

The Chinese in Sarawak, concentrated in urban areas are strongly behind DAP and only fools will say otherwise. Whilst the Malays, a minority group in the state, may give it a try to endorse the politics played up by PAS.

Who wins or gain the upper hand in the coming elections is a game of strategy. It is no more about BN bringing development to the people. To harp on development projects like what some BN Ybs are still doing, is old rhetoric and outdated politics. Sarawakians have now reached a new level of maturity to be waylaid by sweet talk.

The Opposition could well adopt a plan to slay the 2 4-Star Generals with “smear” campaigns to achieve victory. The 2 4-Star Generals are Taib and George. This is Politics, an Eye for an Eye.

SNOOPING to find out who's the WRITER

Snooping around and making guesses of who is writing the blogs is a waste of time. It goes both ways, either you are from the BN camps or the opposition.

Today’s world is border-less, the cyber mind of people blogging spin in whirlpools of thoughts that to stop them would be foolish to say the least.

Let’s put it right. Politicians are just as good liars themselves as bloggers who fan out their views and opinions. Yes, there must be limits especially to things malicious, hence tolerance to accept the harsh words of any blogger can sometimes be hard to swallow for some.

But the fact still remains that democracy will remain alive and well when freedom of expression is allowed, nothing is more damaging then to block expression, views and opinions which sometimes can help mold the political scenario of any governments.

Let us not be IDIOTS or think like like one.

BN's Money to buy Pork - NO Big Fuss in Sarawak

All BN YBs in Sarawak would have no problem with the word ALLAH which is a sensitive issue in West Malaysia. One YB from Miri and a SUPP member is clear with his stance on this subject in his face book message today. But incidentally, not being a muslim, is he poking his nose where he shouldn’t? Obviously he was unhappy that thousands of Bible copies meant for the Christians in Sarawak are not allowed to be released because they carried with them the word that has created such a big fuss in West Malaysia.

Sarawakians in general have been modest on religion and share ideas quite freely on the subject in the state. Sarawakians make no big fuss about such things. Pork is sold openly and Sarawak Muslims are tolerant with the sight of pork hanging freely in restaurants across the span of Sarawak. This is something one cannot see just across the border in Brunei. Forget about West Malaysia.

Pork is not for me as I am a muslim and as an Iban proud with my culture, I still step into my longhouse and watch them eat the delicious meat during any kind of ceremony. That is something they must have. And like the Ibans, most Chinese eat it everyday and many too, will grumble without the stuff to make up their meals. This is how it goes in Sarawak.

The soon to be Elections in Sarawak which I predict to be in May should not stop people from eating plenty of pork during the campaign period. Of course some of BN’s money disbursed for the Elections in whatever way and to whoever, good or bad, will be used to buy the meat for consumption.

Well, if you are a Muslim, certainly you can't touch the meat but what about the money touched or handled by the Pork Sellers? That will be Bumpy. I have no answer not to hold pork money! How would I know?

Age, Wives and Concubines smell Trouble

There is much talk about AGE in the coffee shops in Sarawak. AGE has become a factor and BN is losing out in this area and era of AGE. DAP and PKR have a string of young fellows willing to stand against old men of the BN. It’s going to be experience versus versatility in many areas in the coming Elections in Sarawak.

Rightly so, there are too many BN YBs in Sarawak who are in their mid 60s. The CM being old doesn’t pay much attention to AGE, perhaps it affects him most that he doesn’t consider this as important. But this oversight may bring his house down.

AGE also comes with maturity and sensibility but not necessarily sexuality which makes matters worst because when 2 leaders of the Sate Government, at their age, court young ladies to make them wives, the question of their sexual prowess is questioned. But that said they don’t need only sex for companionship. Companionship travels far and wide and George Chan has good reasons to court and marry a young Kelabit lady. Similarly with old man Taib, being a muslim, he needs a companion as called for by his religion.

Now here is the crux of the matter. If AGE matters in politics, aging leaders should know the consequences and vulnerability of them being criticized by marrying young wives while they are holding office and serving the people. Because they are elected representatives, the people have every right to know who their consort is. To cut it short, they will lose their “respect” from the older generation and looked upon by the young as near a “Casanova”. While others will just smile and say, “boleh tahan, masi ada ommph”.

Well, let's give some respect to our 2 leaders going into the open with their wives, they have my respect. At the least, they are much better off than those YBs hiding their concubines.

REAL Issues of the next GE in Sarawak

Sarawak’s politics may take a new twist come the next GE in a few months time. A good number of Sarawakians are excited for the unexpected to happen. And it could turn real as evidenced by scenarios now happening right in our midst. Will they impact on the political bearing of the coming elections in the State is left to be seen?

First, the old man Taib is not very much liked anymore as Chief Minister, even by his inner circles who are keeping their silence. This is simply because of his age besides his clinging on to power, somewhat like Mubarak who realized his own fault too little too late. And if he is disliked, it has nothing to do with his recent marriage to a sexy Syrian model which many actually liked. People are in fact more curious over the marriage of the President of SUPP to a fair looking Kelabit lady.

Second, the power of the internet is engulfing the young minds in Sarawak and information today travels at supersonic speed. Bad information about the Government can spread like wild fire amongst the young who have not been well managed by the BN government who can't even take care of their mat rempits. The hand phone is their well guarded tool to spread all the faults of the BN YBs in Sarawak.

Third, PAS has penetrated many PBB strongholds in the State over the past year spreading their seeds over the kampongs that Malay support may dwindle to the benefit of the opposition parties.

And fourth, the Chinese in urban areas who make up one third of the electorates are strongly behind DAP. This is no laughing matter and SUPP may be in for another shock this time around.