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to listen to new ideas which sometimes can be magically implanted in people’s minds hence detrimental to BN’s old and outdated style of politics.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.

Balloons Bursting in Sarawak BN

The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) which is a BN partner is today slapped in the face by a BN veteran YB Sagah. Sarawakians know that SPDP is already trying to survive an internal squabble and such a statement in the press from a BN member of the house will not make its flamboyant President Mawan happy at all. Will he confront the man head-on or like the cool person he seems to be, shrugged it off lightly. Roland Sagah, a member of the state house has of late been disturbed by the bad mouth of some “SPDP linked groups” in his constituency.

The interesting thing is the Balloons are now bursting in Sarawak's BN. It looks like some BN stalwarts are now opening up and opening up quick with perhaps the PRS President as the man to watch. Indirectly they are sending a message to the old man Taib that his time is up to play any more magic. The PRS President Masing and his lieutenants are adamant that the state seat of Pelagus belongs to the Ibans and PRS and not to the Taib favored Larry Sng. They have echoed over and over again that PRS will not budge over its rightful claim on Pelagus.

Ironically, the PM‘s call for direct BN membership has also received a lukewarm welcome from the BN YBs in Sarawak. There wasn’t much support for it in the press and that calls for concern. On the other hand, we can assume that the man happiest to hear the “direct entry” stuff is Larry. It means that his ride to be re appointed the candidate in Pelagus will not be that bumpy.

Chicken Pok Poke Pork Teacher in Kuching

At a time when Najib is recovering from Chicken Pok, this school teacher, an assistant head at St. Thomas in Kuching poked the PM’s 1Malaysia image in Sarawak over the issue of eating Pork by a non Muslim. This bloke canned a 10 year old student for putting in pork into his food which he brought to school to eat. Here is a school teacher who is a Muslim playing around with “fire”, foolish enough not to know the repercussion he would be getting.

If the Education Ministry let this case go unnoticed, then it will go to show that extremism is accepted by the authorities in the Semua Boleh land. It will of course indirectly score a minus for BN and a big hooray for PR in Sarawak.

The Mighty Rejang brought Cow Dung

Cow dung has been deposited in the BN house in Sarawak with a natural blessing when the mighty Rejang came flowing with lots of wooden debris from up river. Even the fish die due to this man made disaster which had many BN leaders in Sarawak nervous about their fate. All fell short of mentioning what the real issue was behind the uncontrollable mishap which if they did, fingers will most likely point back at them.

Logging is big business and big money in Sarawak, everyone knows that. It has made many people rich including BN political leaders from day one when logging licenses were issued to cronies and those linked with either the royalties or someone up high. Of course, the CM cannot deny the part he played in grooming some big “towkeys” through logging activities in Sarawak. This is all old stories.

What when the GE is coming on in a couple of months time, it will be a blow to BN when things like this happened. The opposition doesn’t have to overplay such scenarios because they revealed themselves the natural way. Sometimes, God has his ways to reveal the truth.

Will the Ship Sink under an Ailing Captain?

The ship with the BN flag under an ailing Captain is now being steered into deep waters in the South China Sea. The waters are full of Tiger sharks and perhaps a typhoon will soon come to hammer the crew down to their cabins. They all seem to hang on to dear lives, banking on their luck on this one Captain whom they are praying will bring them out of the storm.

This is the scenario in the coffee shops around Sarawak. BN they say may lose many seats in the soon to be GE. The reason is because of the Captain whom many thought as being too old to steer the Ship. But alas, he has gone through such storms before and, this one last voyage will be his final journey through the same stormy South China Sea.

On board the ship, his crew realize that they will risk their lives should they talk about any mutiny. The Captain they know is known to have no mercy.

Only time will tell whether the Ship will sink or be saved again by this ailing but experienced Captain.

If the Real Issue is Change in Leadership

Is this not the real issue? Will it lead to some losses for BN in Sarawak? Anyone dares to take a bet with me that this will not be the case. We will see.

The voices of the people have been heard. So it seems. We cannot deny the fact that many leaders, both from political and social activist groups in the state have rallied their support for Taib to stay put as the Chief Minister. Whether they meant it or not when making their statements to the press is not for me to speculate. One wonders whether they have thought deeply enough about the future of their state in terms of equal distribution of its wealth amongst all groups irrespective of standing, colour and creed or did they bang on with their statements in order to be seen as “menyokong Ketua Menteri” and “penyokong perintah BN”.

The real sentiments from the people of Sarawak will soon be gauged by the ballot box when peace loving Sarawakians once again go to the polls to cast their votes. KL expects BN Sarawak to maintain status quo at least. A bad performance therefore will see immediate resignations from many old mules after the elections. All the dumb leaders then who have by default made their statements may also need to go.

In Sarawak, it is not unusual and looks pretty normal for political leaders to cling on to power for up teem years. Perhaps the greed for money is too good to give up even after 20 years as a YB. This trend in the state will soon be changed after the next GE when the “Domino effect" from the last GE in Peninsular is experienced in the land of the horn bills. This is not to say Sarawakians are supporting the opposition or behind Anwar, that’s not the point. The point is in the word CHANGE. Sarawakians are just fed up with the old political rhetoric replayed over and over again by some old guards wearing their BN tainted uniforms. They just want a change in leadership. Let that be understood.

The Impossible Dream

Two things can happen, Taib can step down quietly without any hassle or he can be pressured to step down by Kuala Lumpur. Both ways, the time is really up for him to genuinely give way to someone younger, not as the Chief Minister of Sarawak but as Head of the commanding PBB, Sarawak. As we cannot really predict that BN will win outright again in the next GE in the state, let’s not say that he should step aside as CM for another. That would be wrong. The next CM could well be an opposition member or a now BN member turned opposition.

I thought for a while that it could happen in Sarawak without much of a problem. PR can join up force with SUPP, PRS and SPDP to force a simple majority and what if some PBB YBs jumping ship, there you are, a new unity Government can materialize. Would it be impossible? Perhaps not, in politics even your wildest dreams can come through sometimes.

Such turn of events cannot be ruled out altogether. For Sarawakians, it would be foolish to think of it as annoying Kuala Lumpur if the state is to rid itself of corruption, nepotism etc. And surely, we don’t know how the GE in Peninsula is going to turn out this time around. BN has created too many potholes and the rakyat aren’t blind nor deaf that they are unable to see the right from wrong. Be your own Judge.

When it's all Shaking for BN in Sarawak

As the GE in Sarawak draws near, we hear of all sorts of rumors which cannot really be substantiated. This scenario is expected to develop even more in the next couple of weeks, it is a time when it's all shaking for BN in Sarawak. The fact that Democracy is working when people are given their say, either right or wrong, is good.

Already we hear of Sarawak United Peoples Party echoing their displeasure which very well is a strategy of sort to win back the disgruntled Chinese voters who have deserted camp.Some see it as a "ploy", if it could be regarded as one. Enough said, SUPP is facing a leadership dilemma with the left and right wings trying to pin down each other. They are still battling so it seems or is it just a mild “sindiwara” in the making? After all, Sarawak has a spate of such disguised political acts that were meant to play havoc on people’s mind, we called it dirty politics.

Looking around, SPDP looks like a limping buffalo all covered with mud whilst PRS, with its dare devil President means business, out to prove that they are solid like a rock. Their problem is just with a bright Chinese Minister who knows his way round the block. Circumstances tell you that PRS may have to concede at least 1 seat for this bloke, with the President having to swallow his words at that.

PBB has also been shaken up with their President under fire from many angles due to some unexplained wealth he has accumulated overseas. His boat too is shaking and I have no doubt that he is worried about how the political business in Sarawak is going to be in the next few months, especially now that SUPP may be calling it “quit”. They did not say so directly but the whistle has been blown.

Conspicuously Wealthy Political Bums

You have been asked to kick the backside of the opposition! Would you do it? Or would you kick the backside of those Conspicuously Wealthy BN Politicians.

Come November 2010 the State Elections will probably be held and my prediction is BN in Sarawak will be in for a shock with defeats in areas they never would dream of losing. It will be autumn blues for them. Why is this so? What made me to think so? It is simply so because the voters and people in Sarawak are entering into a new phase of political maturity. The realization of all the wrongs created by leaders of the BN Government in Sarawak led by a conspicuously wealthy CM is too much for their conscious mind to bear. The people are fed up with a bunch of the old Guards led by Taib, George and Alfred.

You only need to look around you to realize that things have gone widely wrong in Sarawak. Roads, especially our highways are way below average, developments have been hap-haphazardly handled and going in to the hands of cronies and above all, how the hell did some BN ministers and YBs become conspicuously wealthy?

Hearing the speeches by some of our BN politicians can make many peace loving people in Sarawak sick because BN tends to be in a state of denial with their old style rhetoric in trying to win hearts by political "sweet talks" which are pretty outdated. Whenever they harped about having done the state good, it smelled "basi". And laughably people are always reminded to kick the backside of the opposition.

Sarawakians are now leveling themselves into a new era with the internet as the tool to kick on the backside of the big talkers in the BN camps. Let’s wait for a couple more months, that will be the day when many political bums will be kicked out for good.

Penan Maidens - Are you subjects of the "Signal Detection Theory"?

If ever the rapists exist, then they should be brought to book and punished by the law severely. There is every reason to believe that the numerous reports made on Penan girls being raped in the Baram are true. Circumstances in the remote areas would make it not impossible for rapes to be carried out. Jungles are the best of places.

Much have been said, politicized and given publicity internationally, all at the great expense of this defenseless group we know as the nomadic tribe of Sarawak called the Penans. Groups championing their cause in this particular matter better do it right and get to the roots of things.This is not about logging and felling of trees but disgusting rapes of innocent girls.

Politicians especially from the BN party should just keep their big mouths shut on such issues and not try to cover up the offenders. Let the law take its course. The Police and other investigators from the welfare and NGO bodies should perform their duties well and protect the rights of these poor maidens of the jungle. Could some already be mothers now? Hence it demands immediate real action from all those in authority.

No matter what one thinks, even if it borders on the "signal detection theory", the cases reported are unlikely to be false. I do not think so. Such social matters should never be swept under the carpet by the BN government.That would be a mistake, a big mistake.

The POISONS in Sarawak's Politics

It amazes me why Sarawakians are so keen in forming new political parties of late. Are they not satisfied with the present State Government led by the old man Taib? Are they fed up with corruption within the State BN Government? What are their motives? Aren’t they enough political parties already around in Sarawak to demand yet the formation of more parties? Is this going to be the trend in Sarawak which at one time was also happening in Sabah? And finally, will such action destabilize the supposedly calm political scenario in Sarawak and make the BN State Government more vulnerable to losing power?

The General Elections in the state should be just round the corner so these aspirants of change may want to give it a go, all claiming that they will fight for the rakyat in their own style. The irony is they know that standing as independents will not get them far. A political platform is what they are looking for, to start somewhere somehow. Win or lose is another thing.

Having said all that, one thing is for sure and that is, everyone in Sarawak knows that the time for the Chief Minister to step down as Chief Minister is overdue and very much overdue. The old man Taib is unperturbed so it seems of the “slander” and controversy thrown at him lately. The controversy is of course on the amount of assets he has overseas. To put it simply, how did he and his family become so rich when we know that he came not from a millionaire background. Has he now been cornered with people talking about his "ill gotten" wealth? For those reading this and wanting to find out more about the so called wealth accumulated by the Chief Minister, they could easily log in to Sarawak Report.org. I stumbled upon the website recently and found it to be interesting. It holds water.

Today, I read the papers about our Iban leaders politically fascinating themselves by shooting poison arrows at one another. This is typical longhouse politics. None are so outstanding that they can be called heroes. Many people and men of their blood have jibed at them as traitors. They are just lucky to be where they are, circumstances played into their hands and they became leaders. They are perhaps not traitors but opportunists in their own rights. Say one thing and do another.

Divide and Rule - An OLD Game Plan

Secrets are to be kept but one can’t stop another from fouling the game of secrecy especially when it involves political moves and the Chief Minister of Sarawak. There was a big BN retreat to the Mulu National Park a couple of days back and the hot topic was about the coming elections in Sarawak, it must be held by June at the latest, of 2011.

As is the case always, these big BN meetings in Sarawak will be a closed door affair, the doors locked from the inside. Everything discussed then will be “classified” and leaders would be reminded to keep their mouths shut. But human beings are creatures that have a mind to tell tales. Being such, what's told will then be untold. It means what transpired would soon be talked and the news would then be unceremoniously splashed with special "add-on" by individuals who are really loaded flamboyant BN political rumour mongers. These will eventually spilled over to those in the opposition who as foes are only too glad to hear the “good” news or loathe the bad ones. For the old withering guy, the game of "DIVIDE and RULE" is again a hidden agenda which can never be proven.

Tales can also be told about the once largest and strongest party in Sarawak - the Sarawak National Party formed by the late Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan. Sarawak sees a new chapter today when the oldest party around regained some of its pride with the announcement on the setting aside of its deregistration by the Court of Appeals. Many die hard SNAP members in their 70s must be happy to hear such news. Dundang, their stylish President living in Miri should be pleased and happy too. However, it will not put SNAP in any better position in Sarawak because the Party has hardly done anything for the people of Sarawak in the last 10 years. Internal squabbles amongst party leaders have not been trashed out and the party looked doomed alright, not until today. This should give them a new lease of life and at the least, some new political bearing to fight on their cause.

But alas, it is going to split the Ibans once again making it so much easier for the old man to divide and rule, perhaps for another term.The vicious cycle goes on.

Get rid of Subsidies = A New State Government

When subsidies are lifted even in any small way, the hardest hit will be the low income earners. As it is now, life is already hard for many Sarawakians regardless of their race. They can be the Iban family in the longhouse, the elderly Malay kampong couple or the Chinese guy who does his trade on a street corner from dawn to dusk to feed his family. These are the people who will carry the burden and feel the pinch if prices of the basic commodities go up upon lifting of government subsidies of essential items.

Surely our smart BN leaders either at Federal or State levels realize that such announcement which can become a reality will inflict great sufferings to the poor in the country. But they the BN Ybs and Ministers are well-off and many are stuck-ups. Money to them, either ill gotten or otherwise is NOT a problem so they couldn't careless for the poor. The poor can be described as those whose income is hardly enough to buy food and other essential household needs to enjoy life as a Malaysian. The poor is the mother who may have only one single meal a day when Ministers lavish on sumptuous dinners every night. The poor is the stressful father who works overtime to feed hungry mouths at home while children of the rich have laptops to play their favourite games. The poor is the child who can’t afford to buy a new pair of school shoes for the new term. The poor is the family who dreams of a simple water filter which for health reasons is a must for households in Sarawak.

The worry for the poor is already beginning and thoughts are tormenting many in Sarawak who are also now angry with the BN government. In fact the "subsidy issue" has hit the public and private sectors here in the state like a Tsunami, dreaded by the majority. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new chapter, the ending episode of BN’s rule in the land of the hornbills. Idris Jala is playing his role pretty brilliantly in Najib’s government. He's not an idiot to make such an announcement without realising the consequences. The question is, did he not too, inadvertently unlocked some doors for PR in Sarawak to enter? His bouquet we accept, nice of him!