Local flavour and creativity were very much in evidence during the nominations process in the 10th Sarawak election. Compared to shouting matches and frequent scuffles among rival supporters in the peninsula, those accompanying candidates to nomination centres around Sarawak were orderly and offered a lighter take on politics. TheDAP turned the state emblem - the Rhinoceros Hornbill - into a loveable mascot named Ubah ('change'). It has its own website, Facebook and Twitter account, in a bid to engage younger urban voters. Almost all the DAP candidates were accompanied by Ubah, in the form of soft toy.
Candidates and supporters happily posed with the mascot for photographs. A majestic bird also featured in the BN's campaign. Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, dubbed the 'Iban warrior' by his supporters, brought along a kenyalang (hornbill) sculpture to the nomination centre. This has been his practice in every election he has contested. The sculpture and an antler, were carried by two elders who led the 300-strong BN entourage to the Betong district office, the nomination centre for state seat Layar, this morning.
On reaching th
e main buidling, Jabu - who is seeking his eighth consecutive term in the Layar seat, carried the items and placed them respectfully on either side of an antique cannon at the building entrance. He then squatted down and stroked the cannon while murmuring a few words in the Iban language.He asked Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to similarly stroke the cannon and the two posed for photographs. After the returning officer announced the successful candidates, Jabu again stroked the cannon and murmured to it.
He told Hishammuddin that the cannon has brought victory to BN and again asked the latter to pose with him for photographs. According to Jabu's wife, Empiang, the kenyalang and antler are part of an Iban tradition in seeking blessings. "During every election, he will do the ritual," she told Malaysiakini.According to the Sarawak Handicraft and Souvenir Association, the Iban regard the kenyalang as the God of War. It is the community's most sacred carving and is used to honour and commemorate its warriors and leaders. Traditionally, only a proven warrior is allowed to fell the tree to be used for carving the statue. The wood for the hornbill crest can only be cut by a warrior who has killed numerous enemies in a single expedition.
Stella 'spook' Independent
At the Balingian nomination centre, all eyes were on an Australian bomoh allegedly close to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was filing his nomination form.
A minor fracas broke out when Independent candidate Salleh Jafaruddin raised his voice at Stella Kharleen Tashman, a striking blonde who sported a leopard-print headscarf. "You want to put a spell on me, you want to put a spell on Malaysia," Salleh said, raising his voice.
However, Stella (right), who was wearing heavy make-up, just laughed and walked away, while Salleh had to be restrained by his supporters. According to whistleblower website Sarawak Report, Stella was introduced to Taib by his sister Raziah.
It further claimed that Taib is strongly influenced by Stella, who is said to conduct a ritual each morning before he leaves his residence.
source:malaysiakini
213 calon tanding pilihan raya Sarawak
'BN's combat zones in Sarawak'
cheers.
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