All indications point to a nail-biter of a finish as politicians scramble to make their case heard in the dying hours of the Sibu by-election campaign. Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim returned to the campaign trail yesterday afternoon - after spending a good part of the week attending his sodomy trial in Kuala Lumpur - as the opposition front threw everything it had in the bid to win tomorrow's polls.What was unexpected, however, was the rousing response from the 3,000-strong predominantly Chinese crowd when the former deputy premier spoke at a DAP ceramah in Rejang Park. Unlike the nonchalant attitude he faced on the campaign trail when it first started last weekend, this time Anwar was met with raucous cheering despite arriving at around 11pm, commanding the full attention of those present.
Similarly at an earlier ceramah along Jalan Bandong in Nangka, Anwar was well received by the 300 or so mainly Muslim diners who were at the popular halal food square, though it was marred by a near-altercation when some over-zealous Pakatan Rakyat supporters taunted a group of BN youths seated at the back. Putting aside the slight fracas, last night's turnout was a pleasant surprise for Pakatan, considering the penchant among many local residents for sleeping early.
Earlier on in the campaign, politicians from both the Pakatan and BN had trouble getting their audience to stay beyond 10.30pm, which is the general cut-off time for outdoor activities in the small town.
A different side of Sibu
But last night's turnout showed a different side of Sibu - one that appeared to have suddenly understand the power of vote. This may be one reason that the BN is pulling out its big guns today, with none other than Prime Minister Najib Razak scheduled to make an unprecedented third visit to Sibu in as many weeks. The allocations and customary populist government moves have been coming in a steady stream, the latest being the announcement of reduced flat rates for renewal of leasehold titles by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud last night.
This may stem the tide among Chinese voters, who have been staunchly pro-DAP due to discontent on economic and land issues, but it seems trouble is brewing elsewhere for the ruling coalition. Talk within the BN circle is that Najib has to come back to shore up support among the Melanaus, who are cross with the premier for not including them in his two-day visit earlier this week. But more pressing is their apparent displeasure with their Nangka assemblyman Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, who is said to have not visited his constituency after being elected in the 2006 state polls.
BN machinery holds sway
Nevertheless, the perceived advantage still lies with BN and the might of their election machinery. As well as the electorate may receive Anwar and other Pakatan leaders, it is still hard to say how much ground they have gained with the 54,695 voters of Sibu. This is particularly so with the Iban and Melanau sectors, which combined to make up some 32 percent of the electorate.Melanaus tend to treat Pakatan campaigners with scepticism, as they are known to give priority to leaders from their own community such as Abdul Taib - the long-time chief minister. But if there is any truth to the rumours of the community's discontent, then Anwar and the rest of the Pakatan leadership may be able to swing some extra votes their way.
The Iban votes on the other hand remain quite the mystery.Longhouses that agreed to host Pakatan campaigners will generally receive their visitors warmly, regardless of which flag is flown. Being polite to guests means being agreeable, which in turn makes any reading of potential swings in voting trends rather difficult. There is the issue of the BN's alleged favourite tactic of blitzing the longhouses with cash and gifts in the dying hours of campaigning, something the Pakatan is unlikely, and incapable, of emulating.
Whether that continues to hold sway with the Ibans depends on how far Pakatan has managed to break through that barrier. Whatever the case, tomorrow's polls is expected to be a tight race and ultimately, it is the BN's to lose.- Joseph Sipalan
source:malaysiakini
cheers.
No comments:
Post a Comment