Can former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad be proven right when he cryptically advised Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to “learn from history” in deciding when to step down, citing the case of “one MB who insisted he should continue, and lost the whole state”?
Mahathir was of course referring to the case of Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad who was Mentri Besar of Terengganu for 25 years from 1974 to 1999 and was ignominiously evicted from office when Barisan Nasional suffered an electoral rout of 4 – 28 state assembly seats to PAS in the 1999 general elections.
Has Taib overstayed as Sarawak Chief Minister marking his 30th anniversary in office this year?
There can be no doubt that the question of getting Taib to step down as Chief Minister is the single most potent weapon and burning issue against the Barisan Nasional in the 10th Sarawak state general elections, uniting Sarawakians regardless of race or religion throughout the state not because of Taib’s age, the length of his tenure as Chief Minister but because of the lack of accountability, transparency and good governance under Taib’s Chief Ministership illustrated by the mountain of allegations on abuses of power and rampant corruption under his rule which he has not been able to rebut.
It is not that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is not aware of Sarawak Barisan Nasional’s Achilees heel but even he is impotent as far as getting Taib to step down as Chief Minister.
All Najib’s attempts to tie Taib down to an early date to step down had been fobbed off and foiled by the Chief Minister and there is nothing the Prime Minister could do about it.
For instance, when Najib “closed down” Putrajaya for six days and led his entire Cabinet to Sarawak to campaign in the Sarawak state general elections on Sunday, his first message was to assure Sarawakians that a change in the state leadership was imminent.
But Taib refused to “play ball” and made it very clear in Najib’s presence the next day that he was not planning any “imminent” stepping down as Chief Minister, as his time frame is “in a few years’ time”.
“A few years’ time” is not one or two years but at least three years and could even be four or five years!
On Tuesday, Taib even said that he had identified his successor as Sarawak Chief Minister and that he had been grooming his successor for 20 years!
This must rank as the greatest political mystery of the century as no one knows that Taib had been grooming his successor for 20 years – not even Taib or the candidate himself!
Yesterday, Taib vacillated talking at first about “two, three years” and later “two years” as the timeframe of his stepping down after Saturday’s state general elections.
Clearly, it is still very elastic to Taib as to the timeframe of his stepping down as Sarawak Chief Minister and depending on the outcome of Saturday’s polls, it could still range from two, three to four and even five years!
Of course, there is no question of Taib’s remaining as Chief Minister if Mahathir’s warning come true on Saturday and Barisan Nasional loses power with Pakatan Rakyat winning over half of the 71 State Assembly seats.
There are those who believe that Barisan Nasional will be voted out of power in April 16 general elections.
I am more inclined to the second scenario of denying the Barisan Nasional two-thirds State Assembly majority – although the first scenario of Barisan Nasional losing power in Sarawak through the ballot box is no more an unthinkable and impossible objective.
To deny the Barisan Nasional two-thirds majority in the Sarawak State Assembly, Pakatan Rakyat must win at least 24 out of the total of 71 State Assembly seats in Sarawak.
From the ferment and effervescence in Sarawak, the air of freedom of liberation evident among the people during the campaign, it is clear that something is in the works on Saturday affecting the political future of Sarawak and Malaysia.
The goal of denying the Barisan Nasional two-thirds State Assembly majority is eminently achievable which would in fact be the worst defeat in the history of Barisan Nasional.
There is no way Taib could continue as Chief Minister if he loses two-thirds state assembly majority on Saturday as this would impact most adversely on Najib’s political future and in particular for the long-delayed 13th national elections.
Although the electoral prospects for the 15 seats contested by the DAP are ever optimistic and positive by the day, I want to warn and caution all the 15 DAP candidates and election workers that we cannot be assured of victory in anyone of the seats until the votes are counted on Saturday evening and the results announced.
In the one-and-a-half days to polling, Barisan Nasional will go all out to “steal” the 10th Sarawak state general elections with their department of “dirty tricks” working 24/7.
In Kuching, SUPP leaders have declared that they are confident of winning in all the four state seats contested by DAP – Padungan, Pending, Kota Sentosa and Batu Kawah.
We must not take SUPP and Barisan Nasional boasts lightly and I call on all the four DAP candidates in Kuching as well as all the 15 DAP candidates in Sarawak and all voters, supporters and well-wishers to adopt a common approach – that no victory in any constituency is assured until the votes are counted and victory declared, and till then, an all-out effort must be launched to get out every single available vote on Saturday to usher in political change in Sarawak and Malaysia.
Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2011/04/14/will-mahathir-be-proven-right-that-taib-could-be-another-wan-mohtar-losing-power-in-sarawak-because-he-refuses-to-step-down-after-30-years-as-chief-minister/#more-11510
Showing posts with label sarawak election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sarawak election. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Rocky's Bru: Lighting up Sarawak after the elections
There was no minister involved, which surprised the handful of business journalists covering the event. Given that these are the final few days before the hotlycontested Sarawak election, you'd think the office would have been swarmed by BN politicians.
In fact, you'd imagine that this MoU would have been signed in Kuching, Miri or Sibu where the contests are red hot between BN and the pretenders.
Instead, the signing ceremony was confined to just the signatories representing two companies and Unimas, which had just completed a pilot project to replace diesel-powered generators with made-in-Malaysia green batteries.
As I write this, and as far I know, the implications of this good news have yet to reach Sarawak.
For me, it speaks of one thing: the focus of campaigning in the Sarawak election has been hijacked and is being dictated by other priorities.
From the day Chief Minister Taib Mahmud announced the dissolution of the State Assembly to pave the way for this Saturday's polls, the main issue has revolved around his 30-year tenure as Sarawak's chief executive.
The Opposition's sole aim is to blame every pothole on the road on Taib.
His "ill-gotten" wealth became the focus of Radio Free Sarawak, which is openly backed by the Pakatan Rakyat, since last year.
Despite the State's compliance with international standards, the chief minister was accused of destroying forests and minting money for himself and his family from excessive logging and land grab.
None of these allegations have ever been substantiated but that's besides the point; Taib's enemies were out to discredit him, and were not ashamed to equate him with the likes of Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak.
Never mind if Pakatan Rakyat's own leaders — Nik Aziz, Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh and even Anwar Ibrahim — have been around before Taib became chief minister.
Tit-for-tat, the government supporters built up BN's campaign around the goal of tarnishing the image of the enemy.
Pakatan Rakyat's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has become an easy target after a sex video involving him or his look-a-like surfaced last month. If you read Utusan Malaysia this morning, news about Anwar Ibrahim easily fills up two broadsheet pages.
Those days when Anwar was the deputy prime minister, newspapers worshipped him. Now, the newspaper that Anwar once controlled as if it was his own has become his worst enemy.
Also for the first time in decades of our peaceful multi-religious coexistence as a nation, Christians have become a major election tool. A dangerous precedent has been set.
When PAS started cashing in on Islam for political mileage during the 70s, religion quickly became a divisive factor for the Malays.
A bit like a mini Shi'ite vs Sunni, minus the bloodshed, the Malay-Muslims started to pray with two imams in the same mosque.
The political game being played in Sarawak is potentially more dangerous, as the Church is being used by certain quarters not to divide the Christians but to create an affront with the Government and the Muslims.
It is a strategy being employed stealthily by certain quarters.
The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) was used blatantly in the run-up to the 2008 general election to produce tension with the Malay-Muslims.
Now Hindraf is making a comeback for the next polls despite being outlawed after the last general election, where it played a major role in helping BN lose five States.
If the authorities are not careful, we could witness the clash of religions in political rallies for PRU13!
After the polls this weekend, Prime Minister Najib Razak must make it his priority to resolve the issues facing the religions.
He must be fair and he must be tough to ensure that Malaysia remains moderate.
And Sarawak must go back to work immediately. There is more to this State than churches, mosques and temples.
Under the National Key Result Areas, for example, the government is committed to provide 24-hour electricity supply to more than 140,000 households by next year, and most of these are in Sarawak.
There's a lot of light at the end of this tunnel, yet.
AHIRUDIN ATTAN is group editorial advisor for The Malay Mail, Bernama TV and The Malaysian Reserve. He blogs at rockybru.com.my
Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/69462-rockys-bru-lighting-sarawak-after-elections
Election Guide to Sarawak
In the interests of providing our readers with background on the upcoming Sarawak elections, here is a brief guide to the participating political parties.
Sarawak Barisan Nasional
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)
SUPP was established in 1959 by Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui and Tan Sri Stephen Yong. The party was one of the key movers in the formation of Barisan Nasional in 1974. In the 2006 state election, SUPP won 12 state seats as part of BN.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB)
PBB was registered in 1973 with the merger of Parti Pesaka, Malay-based Barisan Ra’ayat Jati Sarawak (Berjasa) and Parti Negara Sarawak (Panas). It is the largest component of Barisan Nasional. In the 2006 state election, it contested 35 seats and won all.
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
SPDP was formed by former leaders of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) when it was de-registered on November 5, 2002. SPDP was registered on November 8, 2002. In January of the next year, it was accepted as a component of BN. In the 2006 state election, it won eight seats.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
PRS is an offshoot of the de-registered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak. It joined BN in June 2005. In the 2006 state elections, it won eight seats.
Opposition Parties
Sarawak National Party (SNAP)
SNAP is an Iban-based party with some Chinese support. The party was formed in 1961 by the late Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan (Sarawak’s first chief minister). It was part of the coalition government ruling Sarawak when the state joined Malaysia. In 1966, SNAP became an opposition party. It rejoined BN in 1976. In the 2006 state election, it did not win any seats.
Democratic Action Party (DAP)
Sarawak DAP is the state level party of the peninsula-based party, which is primarily supported by Malaysian Chinese. In the 2006 state election, it won six seats.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)
Sarawak PKR is the state-level party of the peninsula-based party. In the 2006 state election, it won one seat, with the election of Dominique Ng. But surprisingly, Ng has not been chosen to defend his seat in the 2011 elections.
Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM)
PCM was formed in 2009. Its members include former Gerakan vice president and member of parliament Huan Cheng Guan and Gabriel Adit Demong.
State Reform Party (Star)
Star was established in 1996 by Dr Patau Rubis after his sacking from the Sarawak cabinet in October 1995. It did not contest in the 2006 state election.
Source: http://www.sarawakreports.org/2011/04/04/election-guide-to-sarawak/
Sarawak Barisan Nasional
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)SUPP was established in 1959 by Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui and Tan Sri Stephen Yong. The party was one of the key movers in the formation of Barisan Nasional in 1974. In the 2006 state election, SUPP won 12 state seats as part of BN.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB)PBB was registered in 1973 with the merger of Parti Pesaka, Malay-based Barisan Ra’ayat Jati Sarawak (Berjasa) and Parti Negara Sarawak (Panas). It is the largest component of Barisan Nasional. In the 2006 state election, it contested 35 seats and won all.
Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
SPDP was formed by former leaders of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) when it was de-registered on November 5, 2002. SPDP was registered on November 8, 2002. In January of the next year, it was accepted as a component of BN. In the 2006 state election, it won eight seats.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)PRS is an offshoot of the de-registered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak. It joined BN in June 2005. In the 2006 state elections, it won eight seats.
Opposition Parties
Sarawak National Party (SNAP)SNAP is an Iban-based party with some Chinese support. The party was formed in 1961 by the late Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan (Sarawak’s first chief minister). It was part of the coalition government ruling Sarawak when the state joined Malaysia. In 1966, SNAP became an opposition party. It rejoined BN in 1976. In the 2006 state election, it did not win any seats.
Democratic Action Party (DAP)Sarawak DAP is the state level party of the peninsula-based party, which is primarily supported by Malaysian Chinese. In the 2006 state election, it won six seats.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)Sarawak PKR is the state-level party of the peninsula-based party. In the 2006 state election, it won one seat, with the election of Dominique Ng. But surprisingly, Ng has not been chosen to defend his seat in the 2011 elections.
Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM)PCM was formed in 2009. Its members include former Gerakan vice president and member of parliament Huan Cheng Guan and Gabriel Adit Demong.
State Reform Party (Star)Star was established in 1996 by Dr Patau Rubis after his sacking from the Sarawak cabinet in October 1995. It did not contest in the 2006 state election.
Source: http://www.sarawakreports.org/2011/04/04/election-guide-to-sarawak/
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Winds of change thawrted by Money politics
Winds of change thwarted by money politics
Barisan Nasional has kept its two-thirds majority in the Sarawak state assembly, bagging 55 out of 71 constituencies, with DAP coming in second with 12, PKR with three seats and one secured by an Independent candidate.
The winds of change which were expected to blow through Sarawak, however forceful, were thwarted as fear and financial dependance on the government still play a role. Sarawak - the country's largest and most resource-rich state but which remains severely impoverished - is considered the ruling coalition's 'fixed deposit' but is nevertheless showing a strong resistance as the opposition had doubled its representation this time around.
Following are excepts of comments from analysts, several of whom had ventured to the ground during the 10-day campaign period:-
Mohd Faizal Syam Abdol Hazis, head of political studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
In the rural areas the opposition is not just contesting against the state but also the federal machinery. If you talk to the ordinary people, there is obvious general discontent against BN but these sentiments are not really reflected in the results.
For the Malay-Melanau community especially, politics of patronage still plays a major role. We expect this from civil servants and maybe the business community but the ordinary Malays are also cautious as they don't want their children and future to be victimised. The possibility of the opposition to win more than what they have is still there (in future), if there was a level playing field in terms of access to the media and contests between parties.
Despite being unhappy and marginalised, and despite promises of development not trickling down in rural areas as promised, they are not willing to take the risk and they are very much dependent on BN.
The access to alternative information is not there and I would say that there is still fear, real or perceived.
Another obvious instrument of control is government agencies, especially the Community Development Department (Kemas) which is very influential in rural areas. Their eyes would know who supports BN and who votes for the opposition.
The Malays are scared that a non-Malay might take over the state and their position would be threatened.
Overall, what we describe as the 'politics of Panadol' is still prevalent here. People are relieved of their pain and suffering with RM20 or RM30 and a tangki air (water tank), and then they are willing to bear the pain for the next five years. PAS is making inroads as they had clearly managed to reduce BN's majority... there was even a longhouse where PAS had captured the residents' support.
James Chin, political analyst, School of Arts and Social Sciences at Monash University
The results are not a surprise given that rural seats are going to decide the outcome. Barisan is strongest in rural areas.
These are places where money politics plays a big role. Even in urban areas voters were being paid RM300 per vote.
In rural Iban and Dayak areas it is not unexpected, given that they depend on BN for their livelihood. SUPP president George Chan's loss was expected because of two reason. Firstly it is his strong anti-Foo Chow sentiments. The Chinese tycoons (from the clan who dominant Piasau) played their cards well to ensure he lost.
Chan took the fall also because he is seen as a close allay of (Chief Minister) Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Chan Eng Seng, veteran journalist and Miri-based researcher
The infighting in SUPP since the last state election had weakened the party, thus causing the losses for the party.
Even DAP could defeat George Chan in Piasau, although DAP does not have a strong base in Miri. The future of SUPP most possibly will be like what had hit Gerakan after the March 3, 2008 general election.
Although there are some SUPP candidates who were elected today, they cannot guarantee the future of the party. SUPP is totally gone.
The SUPP is too close to Taib, and this is something most Chinese voters can no longer compromise on.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Voter claims BN campaigners gave him money
S’WAK POLLS Four people he believes are BN workers call at his house with a slip on his voting details, a BN poster and two RM10 notes.
A voter has claimed that he received RM20 from BN campaigners who visited his house at Kampung Baru Sri Aman in the Lingga state constituency this afternoon.
The male Malay voter, who asked not to be named, showed Malaysiakini the money stapled to a slip of paper that showed his voting details.
He claimed that four Malays – two males and two females believed to be BN campaigners – were doing house-to-house visits in the village around 4pm today.
At his house, they called on the family members to vote for BN and then handed over slip with his voter registration details, stapled with two RM10 notes, a small piece of white paper printed with the BN symbol and a cross beside it, together with an A4-sized poster of the BN symbol, printed in colour.
His voting details included his name, IC number, polling district, polling station, polling stream, polling date and time.
Although the slip had no BN symbol, the print at the bottom stated that the publisher is the BN headquarters located on Jalan Bako, Kuching, and the printer, a company named Lee Miing Press Sdn Bhd, also located in Kuching.
The A4 poster, also published by the state BN headquarters, states the printer as Heng Sing Brothers Press, which is also Kuching-based.
“I’m considering lodging a police report. Vote-buying is a very serious offence during an election,” he told Malaysiakini.
Kampung Baru Sri Aman is located within the Lingga constituency, which is one of the 19 “black” seats identified by BN.
It is seeing a three-way fight among incumbent Simoi Peri (BN-PBB), Abang Ahmad Arabi Abang Bolhassan (PKR) and Abang Othman Abang Gom (SNAP).
Simoi, who had earlier announced that she would step down but was still fielded by BN, is said to be an “unpopular candidate”.
Malaysiakini has not been able to get her response on the alleged vote-buying.
The opposition parties have been claiming that this state election has been marred by rampant vote-buying, but Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday vehemently denied this.
SOURCE: http://malaysiakinicom.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/voter-claims-bn-campaigners-gave-him-money/#more-1317
The male Malay voter, who asked not to be named, showed Malaysiakini the money stapled to a slip of paper that showed his voting details.
He claimed that four Malays – two males and two females believed to be BN campaigners – were doing house-to-house visits in the village around 4pm today.
At his house, they called on the family members to vote for BN and then handed over slip with his voter registration details, stapled with two RM10 notes, a small piece of white paper printed with the BN symbol and a cross beside it, together with an A4-sized poster of the BN symbol, printed in colour.
His voting details included his name, IC number, polling district, polling station, polling stream, polling date and time.Although the slip had no BN symbol, the print at the bottom stated that the publisher is the BN headquarters located on Jalan Bako, Kuching, and the printer, a company named Lee Miing Press Sdn Bhd, also located in Kuching.
The A4 poster, also published by the state BN headquarters, states the printer as Heng Sing Brothers Press, which is also Kuching-based.
“I’m considering lodging a police report. Vote-buying is a very serious offence during an election,” he told Malaysiakini.
Kampung Baru Sri Aman is located within the Lingga constituency, which is one of the 19 “black” seats identified by BN.
It is seeing a three-way fight among incumbent Simoi Peri (BN-PBB), Abang Ahmad Arabi Abang Bolhassan (PKR) and Abang Othman Abang Gom (SNAP).
Simoi, who had earlier announced that she would step down but was still fielded by BN, is said to be an “unpopular candidate”.
Malaysiakini has not been able to get her response on the alleged vote-buying.
The opposition parties have been claiming that this state election has been marred by rampant vote-buying, but Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday vehemently denied this.
SOURCE: http://malaysiakinicom.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/voter-claims-bn-campaigners-gave-him-money/#more-1317
Momentary chaos at DAP Kuching Rally
Chaos struck a DAP-organised rally in Kuching late this evening when the police stormed the stage to stop Sarawak DAP founder Chong Siew Chiang from speaking.
Supporters immediately formed a human shield to stop the police team led by Kuching OCPD Mun Kok Keong.
A tug of war between the DAP supporters and police took place for about a minute, threatening to get out of control - until the police ceased their push forward.
At one point, Mun came so close to Chong that his supporters moved in to keep the officer away from their leader.
The crowd grew livid, especially after riot police began to muscle their way to the stage.
Deafening chants of "Ubah" and "DAP" rang through the crowd, which became silent after one of the rally emcees urged them to calm down.
For reasons not stated, the police gave up on their mission and left the stage, much to the delight of the crowd.
As they were leaving, one of the emcees told the gathering that the organisers had obtained a permit for the event.
When he asked if the crowd would allow the police to stop the event, the response was a loud "No!"
At the time of writing, the rally is proceeding smoothly, with DAP chairperson Karpal Singh just arriving.
Source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/161661
Supporters immediately formed a human shield to stop the police team led by Kuching OCPD Mun Kok Keong.A tug of war between the DAP supporters and police took place for about a minute, threatening to get out of control - until the police ceased their push forward.
At one point, Mun came so close to Chong that his supporters moved in to keep the officer away from their leader.
The crowd grew livid, especially after riot police began to muscle their way to the stage.
Deafening chants of "Ubah" and "DAP" rang through the crowd, which became silent after one of the rally emcees urged them to calm down.
For reasons not stated, the police gave up on their mission and left the stage, much to the delight of the crowd. As they were leaving, one of the emcees told the gathering that the organisers had obtained a permit for the event.
When he asked if the crowd would allow the police to stop the event, the response was a loud "No!"
At the time of writing, the rally is proceeding smoothly, with DAP chairperson Karpal Singh just arriving.
Source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/161661
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
SUPP upset over 'I love Pek Moh' billboard
The latest "I love Pek Moh" billboard set up by DAP this morning to satirise SUPP president and Piasau candidate George Chan Hong Nam and two other candidates in Miri, has drawn protests from the Chinese-based ruling party.
It was revealed today by Johor DAP chief Boo Cheng Hau in a press conference in front of the billboard concerned, that a SUPP lawyer - David Siaw - had sent two strongly-worded text messages to DAP's election director.
According to one of the messages shown to Malaysiakini, the SUPP lawyer warned DAP to remove the billboard, otherwise legal action will be taken.
"Please take down the billboard that shows our three candidates with the CM. You have no authority to use the photos of our candidates. Kindly be warned that we will sue for defamation."
In another message, the text sender warned that the BN component parties may take "tit-for-tat" action if the billboard was not removed.
"You may see your DAP candidates saying things in favour of BN or perhaps worse in clandestine billboards, " it hinted darkly.
DAP, however, has refused to remove the billboard, claiming that they have not defamed anybody.
"Unless it says you don't love Pek Moh, there's no defamation," said Lim Sie Keong, the opponent for George Chan in Piasau.
Playing on slogan
Chan also criticised the opposition party for spreading lies or making fun of opponents, just to incite hatred among the people.
"No wonder their gatherings draw fewer and fewer people now, because people are sick of them.
"We Sarawakians are not used to this. We never said Karpal Singh should never contest because he is in a wheelchair. We never say such things."
He said the people are more concerned on how to make Miri better.
"The culture here is you do this, and I will do it better. It should be like that."
He also pointed out that the opposition's strategy had backfired.
"The people have known us for 30 to 40 years, so we can't lie about ourselves. The people will will even know how many hairs you have."
However, the Piasau candidate refused to comment on SUPP's chances, adding that he is expecting the opposition to show more dirty tactics and tell more lies in last two days to win the election.
"So, I want to tell my people, you have known the three of us, we are decent people. We know how to do the things that will benefit the community."
Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/161457
It was revealed today by Johor DAP chief Boo Cheng Hau in a press conference in front of the billboard concerned, that a SUPP lawyer - David Siaw - had sent two strongly-worded text messages to DAP's election director.
According to one of the messages shown to Malaysiakini, the SUPP lawyer warned DAP to remove the billboard, otherwise legal action will be taken.
"Please take down the billboard that shows our three candidates with the CM. You have no authority to use the photos of our candidates. Kindly be warned that we will sue for defamation."
In another message, the text sender warned that the BN component parties may take "tit-for-tat" action if the billboard was not removed.
"You may see your DAP candidates saying things in favour of BN or perhaps worse in clandestine billboards, " it hinted darkly.
DAP, however, has refused to remove the billboard, claiming that they have not defamed anybody.
"Unless it says you don't love Pek Moh, there's no defamation," said Lim Sie Keong, the opponent for George Chan in Piasau.
Playing on slogan
The billboards are playing on the SUPP election slogan - "I love Miri" and depict the three SUPP candidates in Miri, including Andy Chia Chu Fatt (Pujut) and Lee Kim Shin, as the bodyguards for the emperor - Taib Mahmud.
Earlier, Chan had told the press conference that the billboard strategy was not a "gentlemanly" approach to campaigning.
"We have always been gentlemen, we never use this sort of method."
He added that they had sent a notice of demand through lawyer David Siaw to DAP and its two Miri candidates Fong Pau Teck and Ling Sie Kiong, concerning what they allege as defamatory material in the election leaflets distributed by the opposition party.
The leaflets alleged that the family of the deputy chief minister was involved in corruption.
Chan is demanding that their opponents retract the leaflets immediately and apologise within 24 hours.
He also requested them to make compensation in 48 hours.
Chan said this is not the first time DAP had lied and made insinuations against him.
Indeed DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng had made similar allegations and had to apologise publicly. "This time I cannot let it go, they cannot only apologise."
Compensation of RM10 million sought
He said he will request for compensation of RM10 million and it will be donated to charity.Earlier, Chan had told the press conference that the billboard strategy was not a "gentlemanly" approach to campaigning.
"We have always been gentlemen, we never use this sort of method."
He added that they had sent a notice of demand through lawyer David Siaw to DAP and its two Miri candidates Fong Pau Teck and Ling Sie Kiong, concerning what they allege as defamatory material in the election leaflets distributed by the opposition party.
The leaflets alleged that the family of the deputy chief minister was involved in corruption.
Chan is demanding that their opponents retract the leaflets immediately and apologise within 24 hours.
He also requested them to make compensation in 48 hours.
Chan said this is not the first time DAP had lied and made insinuations against him.
Indeed DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng had made similar allegations and had to apologise publicly. "This time I cannot let it go, they cannot only apologise."
Compensation of RM10 million sought
Chan also criticised the opposition party for spreading lies or making fun of opponents, just to incite hatred among the people.
"No wonder their gatherings draw fewer and fewer people now, because people are sick of them.
"We Sarawakians are not used to this. We never said Karpal Singh should never contest because he is in a wheelchair. We never say such things."
He said the people are more concerned on how to make Miri better.
"The culture here is you do this, and I will do it better. It should be like that."
He also pointed out that the opposition's strategy had backfired.
"The people have known us for 30 to 40 years, so we can't lie about ourselves. The people will will even know how many hairs you have."
However, the Piasau candidate refused to comment on SUPP's chances, adding that he is expecting the opposition to show more dirty tactics and tell more lies in last two days to win the election.
"So, I want to tell my people, you have known the three of us, we are decent people. We know how to do the things that will benefit the community."
Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/161457
Don't use religious issues, opposition told
KUCHING, April 12 (Bernama) -- Religious and racial harmony is a very precious asset that every Malaysian should strive to preserve, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said today.
He said the opposition should not use religious issues in the Sarawak election because this could threaten harmony in this state of various races and creeds.
"We know this state has its own culture of peace, courtesy and tolerance, with respect for all, regardless of race or religion," he told reporters after closing a course for Quran teachers.
This culture must be protected for the wellbeing of the people and continued development, he added.
At the closing ceremony, Minister in the Chief Minister's Office Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman questioned the motive of PAS contesting the state polls.
Daud, who is PBB vice-president, wondered how PAS could champion Islam when it was vying for only five seats.
He said the peninsula-based party had come to Sarawak to split Muslims in the state for opposition advantage.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56043
He said the opposition should not use religious issues in the Sarawak election because this could threaten harmony in this state of various races and creeds.
"We know this state has its own culture of peace, courtesy and tolerance, with respect for all, regardless of race or religion," he told reporters after closing a course for Quran teachers.
This culture must be protected for the wellbeing of the people and continued development, he added.
At the closing ceremony, Minister in the Chief Minister's Office Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman questioned the motive of PAS contesting the state polls.
Daud, who is PBB vice-president, wondered how PAS could champion Islam when it was vying for only five seats.
He said the peninsula-based party had come to Sarawak to split Muslims in the state for opposition advantage.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56043
Opposition harping on Taib's tenure
SIBU, April 12 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's 30-year tenure has been turned into a burning issue by the opposition in the Sarawak state election, polling of which is on Saturday.
More often than not, DAP leaders do not call the 74-year old veteran leader who has been responsible for the tremendous development of Sarawak by name but "pa moh" - referring to his silvery white-hair.
Despite Taib having announced that he will hand over power to his successor, who has yet to be named, the opposition front consisting of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS has not stopped kicking up dust on the subject.
Running out of substantial issues, it appears that the opposition has to make the best out of the situation to stir up sentiments, especially among the Chinese population.
It took Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to neutralise the issue with Najib saying that he and Taib had discussed the matter and would make an announcement at the appropriate time.
But Taib's extended reign is not the only debate, as the opposition is also training its guns on the tenure of other state leaders like deputy chief ministers Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.
Dr Chan heads the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) while Jabu is one of two deputy presidents of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of the State Barisan Nasional (BN). SUPP is the second biggest component in the State BN.
Dr Chan said to SUPP's supporters and sympathisers, Taib's strong leadership was still needed at least for now as he (Taib) always adopted a balanced approach in handling delicate ethnic issues.
"He can go with ease to various places in the state, whether longhouses or houses of worship. He is a moderate leader who bonds well with various groups," he said.
Former Lambir assemblyman Aidan Wing, can attest to Taib's attributes. He said the government contributed to the building of various houses of worship in the state, such as the St Peter/St Paul Church in Mukah, a Melanau heartland in Sarawak's central region.
"Taib even had a hand in the design of the church which gives better functionality to its structure. That is why we invited him to officiate the opening of the church," said Aidan, who also hails from Mukah and is board chairman of Mukah Catholic Church Charitable Trust.
Such balancing act augurs well for the multi-racial and laid-back society in Sarawak where religious diversity and differences are not an issue.
Within the local political context, Taib's strong leadership has also kept the current political status-quo in check from outside influence.
Sarawak Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, reported to be in the front line to take over from Taib, said the opposition had been attacking the moderate stance of the state government in matters of race and religion.
"When we (Muslim leaders) open a church, they (opposition) say we are not Muslims. When I went to officiate a Chinese school, they said I'm pro-Chinese.
"For us here, it is normal, but for these opposition parties, they try to create an issue and stir up emotions among the various ethnic groups," he said.
SUPP's publicity chief Daniel Ngieng said the reason for DAP to pick on the "Pa Moh" issue was to stir up Chinese sentiments.
"To me, what is more important is whether the Chinese want bigger representation in the government for their long term benefit or just to ride on their emotions and lose everything later," he said.
Ngieng said if the opposition wants to talk about Taib overstaying his welcome, they should go to the mirror and look at themselves.
"They will see their veteran leaders stand out very clearly such as Lim Kit Siang who has been dominating DAP for 42 years and DAP chairman Karpal Singh who has been around 32 years," he said.
Ngieng said the DAP was only contesting in 15 seats and if it was serious about toppling Taib, the party should have contested the Balingian seat (Taib's seat).
"Taib will stay on as 56 bumiputera seats are in the hands of the BN. That is why we believe the DAP has a covert agenda. After the election, they will go back to KL (Kuala Lumpur). Then who is going to defend the Chinese's interest here?," he asked.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56059
More often than not, DAP leaders do not call the 74-year old veteran leader who has been responsible for the tremendous development of Sarawak by name but "pa moh" - referring to his silvery white-hair.
Despite Taib having announced that he will hand over power to his successor, who has yet to be named, the opposition front consisting of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS has not stopped kicking up dust on the subject.
Running out of substantial issues, it appears that the opposition has to make the best out of the situation to stir up sentiments, especially among the Chinese population.
It took Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to neutralise the issue with Najib saying that he and Taib had discussed the matter and would make an announcement at the appropriate time.
But Taib's extended reign is not the only debate, as the opposition is also training its guns on the tenure of other state leaders like deputy chief ministers Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.
Dr Chan heads the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) while Jabu is one of two deputy presidents of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of the State Barisan Nasional (BN). SUPP is the second biggest component in the State BN.
Dr Chan said to SUPP's supporters and sympathisers, Taib's strong leadership was still needed at least for now as he (Taib) always adopted a balanced approach in handling delicate ethnic issues.
"He can go with ease to various places in the state, whether longhouses or houses of worship. He is a moderate leader who bonds well with various groups," he said.
Former Lambir assemblyman Aidan Wing, can attest to Taib's attributes. He said the government contributed to the building of various houses of worship in the state, such as the St Peter/St Paul Church in Mukah, a Melanau heartland in Sarawak's central region.
"Taib even had a hand in the design of the church which gives better functionality to its structure. That is why we invited him to officiate the opening of the church," said Aidan, who also hails from Mukah and is board chairman of Mukah Catholic Church Charitable Trust.
Such balancing act augurs well for the multi-racial and laid-back society in Sarawak where religious diversity and differences are not an issue.
Within the local political context, Taib's strong leadership has also kept the current political status-quo in check from outside influence.
Sarawak Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, reported to be in the front line to take over from Taib, said the opposition had been attacking the moderate stance of the state government in matters of race and religion.
"When we (Muslim leaders) open a church, they (opposition) say we are not Muslims. When I went to officiate a Chinese school, they said I'm pro-Chinese.
"For us here, it is normal, but for these opposition parties, they try to create an issue and stir up emotions among the various ethnic groups," he said.
SUPP's publicity chief Daniel Ngieng said the reason for DAP to pick on the "Pa Moh" issue was to stir up Chinese sentiments.
"To me, what is more important is whether the Chinese want bigger representation in the government for their long term benefit or just to ride on their emotions and lose everything later," he said.
Ngieng said if the opposition wants to talk about Taib overstaying his welcome, they should go to the mirror and look at themselves.
"They will see their veteran leaders stand out very clearly such as Lim Kit Siang who has been dominating DAP for 42 years and DAP chairman Karpal Singh who has been around 32 years," he said.
Ngieng said the DAP was only contesting in 15 seats and if it was serious about toppling Taib, the party should have contested the Balingian seat (Taib's seat).
"Taib will stay on as 56 bumiputera seats are in the hands of the BN. That is why we believe the DAP has a covert agenda. After the election, they will go back to KL (Kuala Lumpur). Then who is going to defend the Chinese's interest here?," he asked.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56059
No discrimination in Sarawak: Taib
KUCHING, April 12 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has slammed Peninsular-based opposition parties for waging a sustained campaign of "lies, instigation and racism allegations" in the state election.
He said allegations of racial discrimination and that non-Muslims in Sarawak were unsafe were "all fiction."
Taib said most of the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) campaign workers were not Sarawakians.
"Most of the people of Sarawak know that there are more Christians than Muslims in Sarawak. So there is no question of Muslims wanting to dominate or to discriminate against other faiths," he said in an interview today.
Even the small Indian population found it comfortable living in the state, he added.
Taib said he was saddened by such attempts to disrupt unity in the state.
"I tell the religious leaders and community leaders frankly that the politics propagated by the DAP and PKR is unsuitable to ensure peace and solidarity or for the convenience and progress of Sarawak in future," Taib said.
He said the state government must have long-term planning so that the young generation were not influenced by the opposition propaganda.
"This trend is most dangerous. Probably after the state election, Sarawak will come up with a White Paper to preserve Sarawak's harmonious political atmosphere and to preserve stability," he said.
He said it would help to forge a common programme and understanding among the various races, religions and cultures in the state including minority groups.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56060
He said allegations of racial discrimination and that non-Muslims in Sarawak were unsafe were "all fiction."
Taib said most of the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) campaign workers were not Sarawakians.
"Most of the people of Sarawak know that there are more Christians than Muslims in Sarawak. So there is no question of Muslims wanting to dominate or to discriminate against other faiths," he said in an interview today.
Even the small Indian population found it comfortable living in the state, he added.
Taib said he was saddened by such attempts to disrupt unity in the state.
"I tell the religious leaders and community leaders frankly that the politics propagated by the DAP and PKR is unsuitable to ensure peace and solidarity or for the convenience and progress of Sarawak in future," Taib said.
He said the state government must have long-term planning so that the young generation were not influenced by the opposition propaganda.
"This trend is most dangerous. Probably after the state election, Sarawak will come up with a White Paper to preserve Sarawak's harmonious political atmosphere and to preserve stability," he said.
He said it would help to forge a common programme and understanding among the various races, religions and cultures in the state including minority groups.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/56060
Taib confident of two-thirds majority
KUCHING, April 12 (Bernama) -- The first vote in the 10th Sarawak state election will be cast tomorrow as police and security forces personnel take to the ballot box first with three days to go to polling day (Saturday).
Postal voters number 18,363 of the 979,796 on the electoral roll.
The next 72 hours will see campaigning going into overdrive as Barisan Nasional (BN) defends its ground against the opposition spearheaded by Peninsular-based DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said today that the BN would win more than two-thirds majority on Saturday because bumiputeras continue to back the government.
Taib, who is Sarawak BN chairman, said that he also sees some change in Chinese-dominated so-called black areas and older Chinese voters were more serious about weighing the community' representation in the government.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is national BN chairman, and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, will continue with their offensive in the interior Dayak areas and Chinese urban towns.
They are scheduled separately to swing by Miri where the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), the Chinese component of the state BN, is locked in an intense fight for the Chinese-dominated seats here against the DAP.
Among the seats is the Piasau constituency which being defended by SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Sibu before returning to Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Meanwhile, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), which is making its debut in the election with 10 candidates, said Sarawakians should not vote for the opposition front of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS.
Party vice-president Huan Cheng Guan of the Penang-based PCM said if the opposition front took over Sarawak, the parties involved would import their people to Sarawak to "cari makan" (for bounty).
He said the DAP had done the same thing in Penang when they won the state in the 2008 general election and treated the locals badly.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh said another 250 permits were issued in the last 24 hours and he again reminded the political parties not to touch on racial sensitivities.
MySinchew 2011.04.13Postal voters number 18,363 of the 979,796 on the electoral roll.
The next 72 hours will see campaigning going into overdrive as Barisan Nasional (BN) defends its ground against the opposition spearheaded by Peninsular-based DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said today that the BN would win more than two-thirds majority on Saturday because bumiputeras continue to back the government.
Taib, who is Sarawak BN chairman, said that he also sees some change in Chinese-dominated so-called black areas and older Chinese voters were more serious about weighing the community' representation in the government.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is national BN chairman, and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, will continue with their offensive in the interior Dayak areas and Chinese urban towns.
They are scheduled separately to swing by Miri where the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), the Chinese component of the state BN, is locked in an intense fight for the Chinese-dominated seats here against the DAP.
Among the seats is the Piasau constituency which being defended by SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Sibu before returning to Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Meanwhile, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), which is making its debut in the election with 10 candidates, said Sarawakians should not vote for the opposition front of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS.
Party vice-president Huan Cheng Guan of the Penang-based PCM said if the opposition front took over Sarawak, the parties involved would import their people to Sarawak to "cari makan" (for bounty).
He said the DAP had done the same thing in Penang when they won the state in the 2008 general election and treated the locals badly.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh said another 250 permits were issued in the last 24 hours and he again reminded the political parties not to touch on racial sensitivities.
BN needs to win urban seats: Najib
KUCHING, April 13 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to step up efforts to win urban seats in the Sarawak state election this Saturday, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The prime minister said the BN must work extra hard to win these seats because the coalition's candidates fielded for them were people of very high calibre.
Najib said it could not be denied that the BN's ability to win these seats would be a tough challenge.
Voters in urban areas (in Sarawak) should have faith in the BN to assure their future based on the transformation programmes that have already been implemented by the government, he told a press conference after attending a "meet-the-people" session in Sadong Jaya near here today.
"We have already introduced the 1Malaysia concept whereby all races will be treated fairly," he said.
In the last Sarawak state election in 2006, the BN lost nine seats mostly in urban areas like Pending, Pandungan, Kota Sentosa and Batu Lintang.
Earlier, Najib, who arrived here last night for a four-day visit to Sarawak, had held "meet-the-people" sessions with the townsfolk of Pusa, Serian and in Sebuyau in the Sri Aman division.
MySinchew 2011.04.13The prime minister said the BN must work extra hard to win these seats because the coalition's candidates fielded for them were people of very high calibre.
Najib said it could not be denied that the BN's ability to win these seats would be a tough challenge.
Voters in urban areas (in Sarawak) should have faith in the BN to assure their future based on the transformation programmes that have already been implemented by the government, he told a press conference after attending a "meet-the-people" session in Sadong Jaya near here today.
"We have already introduced the 1Malaysia concept whereby all races will be treated fairly," he said.
In the last Sarawak state election in 2006, the BN lost nine seats mostly in urban areas like Pending, Pandungan, Kota Sentosa and Batu Lintang.
Earlier, Najib, who arrived here last night for a four-day visit to Sarawak, had held "meet-the-people" sessions with the townsfolk of Pusa, Serian and in Sebuyau in the Sri Aman division.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
PM dismisses Sarawak opposition manifesto as mere election promises
PEKAN, April 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today dismissed the Sarawak election manifesto of the opposition pact as mere election promises, unlike what he said was the ongoing infrastructure development of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in that state.
He said the BN government's ongoing massive infrastructure development in Sarawak was not tied to the state election as it had been going on since last year.
"The opposition makes promises; it does not give guarantees. Our (the BN) manifesto is on ongoing efforts. The proof is in the implementation of the NKRA (National Key Result Area). We give preference to infrastructure development," he told reporters after opening the One-Stop Marketing Complex of the Pekan Automotive Industrial Park, here.
Najib, who is also BN chairman, was asked to comment on the opposition pact's "Jom Ubah Sarawak" (Let's Go for Change, Sarawak) manifesto for the state election, polling for which is on April 16.
The prime minister said the federal government was undertaking many infrastructure projects in Sarawak, and that it would be the biggest achievement yet of the BN government in terms of development of water, electricity and road projects as well as repair of houses and such.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55871
He said the BN government's ongoing massive infrastructure development in Sarawak was not tied to the state election as it had been going on since last year.
"The opposition makes promises; it does not give guarantees. Our (the BN) manifesto is on ongoing efforts. The proof is in the implementation of the NKRA (National Key Result Area). We give preference to infrastructure development," he told reporters after opening the One-Stop Marketing Complex of the Pekan Automotive Industrial Park, here.
Najib, who is also BN chairman, was asked to comment on the opposition pact's "Jom Ubah Sarawak" (Let's Go for Change, Sarawak) manifesto for the state election, polling for which is on April 16.
The prime minister said the federal government was undertaking many infrastructure projects in Sarawak, and that it would be the biggest achievement yet of the BN government in terms of development of water, electricity and road projects as well as repair of houses and such.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55871
Chinese must vote for a stake in post-Taib government, says Sim
KUCHING, April 9 (Bernama) -- He may be a new face at the polls but Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Pending state here, is no stranger to the demands of public life.
He learned what serving the public meant from his father, the late deputy chief minister Tan Sri Sim Kheng Hong, who was treasurer of the Sarawak United People's Party.
"I followed my parents around, meeting a lot of people. People could drop by the house any time. A lot of people still remember him very well," Dr Sim said.
"Not many people now know this of my father, but one of his greatest qualities was that he didn't speak much, he just served, he worked to produce results. This is what I call real action to create real change," added the 46-year-old renowned cardiologist who is the second youngest of eight siblings.
The SUPP member is adopting his father's ethics with a little twist to project his identity in his slogan for the April 16 state election.
Above the catch phrases of "real action" and "real change" is "real heart" emblazoned in red.
"It's simple, I am a cardiologist, I speak from the heart," said Dr Sim.
Many still shake their heads at his decision to return from Australia after 17 years to his home state and set up from scratch a full fledged cardiac unit at the Sarawak General Hospital.
"I came back from Australia because I find much more value here. If I had stayed on, I would make like six million a year but I came back to serve the country. I spent 10 years to build up the cardiac unit as a doctor but if I want to do more, I have to go beyond that," he said.
Violet Yong, the opposition DAP incumbent in Pending, is aware of the credentials of her rival but insists the bigger picture in the election is not a fight between individuals but between the BN and the opposition.
Dr Sim disagrees.
"This election is about when CM steps down, do the Chinese have any representation in the government or not," he said, referring to the stated intention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to bow out in two or three years.
"We are living in Malaysia and if you are not participating in the government of your own choice, how are you going to get involved later on? How are you going to give your input on resource development and resource sharing?"
Dr Sim said the DAP's pitch to voters to change the Taib-led government was nothing new as the party had asked the chief minister to step down at every election.
"In Malaysia, we believe in transformation change, we don't believe in revolution change. CM has said he is stepping down and stated clearly he wants young people in the succession line," Dr Sim added.
The DAP, which won six Chinese majority seats in 2006, are contesting in 15 this time, posing the main challenge to SUPP, which it hopes to replace as the representative of the Chinese.
Dr Sim said the Chinese must look at the reality that they cannot change the government with just 15 of the 71 seats in the state assembly.
"I always tell people if we miss this chance we have to wait for another 20 years. The CM is already 75, when he steps down, the next generation will come in.
"The choice for the Chinese people is: Do you want to choose to stay outside and remain unhappy that you cannot effect change or do you want to be part of the transformation of BN?" he said.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55864
He learned what serving the public meant from his father, the late deputy chief minister Tan Sri Sim Kheng Hong, who was treasurer of the Sarawak United People's Party.
"I followed my parents around, meeting a lot of people. People could drop by the house any time. A lot of people still remember him very well," Dr Sim said.
"Not many people now know this of my father, but one of his greatest qualities was that he didn't speak much, he just served, he worked to produce results. This is what I call real action to create real change," added the 46-year-old renowned cardiologist who is the second youngest of eight siblings.
The SUPP member is adopting his father's ethics with a little twist to project his identity in his slogan for the April 16 state election.
Above the catch phrases of "real action" and "real change" is "real heart" emblazoned in red.
"It's simple, I am a cardiologist, I speak from the heart," said Dr Sim.
Many still shake their heads at his decision to return from Australia after 17 years to his home state and set up from scratch a full fledged cardiac unit at the Sarawak General Hospital.
"I came back from Australia because I find much more value here. If I had stayed on, I would make like six million a year but I came back to serve the country. I spent 10 years to build up the cardiac unit as a doctor but if I want to do more, I have to go beyond that," he said.
Violet Yong, the opposition DAP incumbent in Pending, is aware of the credentials of her rival but insists the bigger picture in the election is not a fight between individuals but between the BN and the opposition.
Dr Sim disagrees.
"This election is about when CM steps down, do the Chinese have any representation in the government or not," he said, referring to the stated intention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to bow out in two or three years.
"We are living in Malaysia and if you are not participating in the government of your own choice, how are you going to get involved later on? How are you going to give your input on resource development and resource sharing?"
Dr Sim said the DAP's pitch to voters to change the Taib-led government was nothing new as the party had asked the chief minister to step down at every election.
"In Malaysia, we believe in transformation change, we don't believe in revolution change. CM has said he is stepping down and stated clearly he wants young people in the succession line," Dr Sim added.
The DAP, which won six Chinese majority seats in 2006, are contesting in 15 this time, posing the main challenge to SUPP, which it hopes to replace as the representative of the Chinese.
Dr Sim said the Chinese must look at the reality that they cannot change the government with just 15 of the 71 seats in the state assembly.
"I always tell people if we miss this chance we have to wait for another 20 years. The CM is already 75, when he steps down, the next generation will come in.
"The choice for the Chinese people is: Do you want to choose to stay outside and remain unhappy that you cannot effect change or do you want to be part of the transformation of BN?" he said.
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55864
Muhyiddin challenges opposition to eradicate poverty in Sarawak
BINTULU, April 9 (Bernama) -- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has spent tens of billions of ringgit to eradicate poverty in Sarawak compared with a mere RM1 billion promised by the opposition pact in their manifesto in the Sarawak state election campaign.
The Deputy Prime Minister subsequently challenged the opposition parties to provide a fund of RM10 billion to eradicate poverty in Sarawak.
He said the BN government had reduced poverty in Sarawak to merely three per cent currently compared with 60 to 70 per cent 20 years ago.
"At a glance, the offer (by the opposition) is impressive, if they are truly serious, allocate RM10 billion because we have given tens of billions...more than that," he told reporters after a 30-minute walkabout at the Bintulu Main Market, here today.
He said the establishment of the RM1 billion Poverty Eradication Fund to look after poor families in the manifesto of the Pakatan Rakyat (Opposition Pact) was merely a promise made to win the support of the voters in Sarawak and it could actually not be implemented as was the case in Selangor which is under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) administration.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the 'one-off' payment of RM200 to every primary school pupil entering year one was also lower compared with the free education given by the BN government to primary and secondary school students which cost about RM5,000 each.
"We not only implement...we are committed to development programmes and when we compare the two manifestos, we can see what they (the opposition) are championing and what we (BN) are fighting for. The people should be more sensitive, we don't do anything indiscriminately but we do things based on the policy of continuous development," he said.
On the slogan "change" propagated by the opposition, Muhyiddin said the government had already carried out transformation under its administration which carried a better meaning than "change".
He said the government had not only carried out transformation in politics, but also in terms of administration style in the government and economy.
"(Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul) Taib (Mahmud) has provided a potential successor... he has whispered to me...(to) Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) probably in a more clear manner...so, this means that there will be a young leader with more credibility...this is more important, if we consider in terms of duration, (DAP advisor Lim) Kit Siang, (DAP chairman) Karpal Singh, (Kelantan Menteri Besar) Datuk Seri Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) have been around longer," he said.
Commenting on the support of the Chinese, Muhyiddin advised the Chinese voters to ensure that they had representatives in the BN government at the state level.
"Looking at the trend of support in several by-elections previously, there has been an increase in the support of Chinese voters for the BN," he said.
On the campaign, Muhyidin said the BN would work harder in the election this time and would not take lightly the challenge posed by the opposition.
He said the voters were also reminded not to be easily influenced by the opposition and independent candidates who claimed that they had received BN support at the federal level.
"They don't use the (BN) scale symbol, they use their own symbol. How can we say that they support the BN. This is all a lie," he said.
MySinchew 2011.04.09The Deputy Prime Minister subsequently challenged the opposition parties to provide a fund of RM10 billion to eradicate poverty in Sarawak.
He said the BN government had reduced poverty in Sarawak to merely three per cent currently compared with 60 to 70 per cent 20 years ago.
"At a glance, the offer (by the opposition) is impressive, if they are truly serious, allocate RM10 billion because we have given tens of billions...more than that," he told reporters after a 30-minute walkabout at the Bintulu Main Market, here today.
He said the establishment of the RM1 billion Poverty Eradication Fund to look after poor families in the manifesto of the Pakatan Rakyat (Opposition Pact) was merely a promise made to win the support of the voters in Sarawak and it could actually not be implemented as was the case in Selangor which is under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) administration.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the 'one-off' payment of RM200 to every primary school pupil entering year one was also lower compared with the free education given by the BN government to primary and secondary school students which cost about RM5,000 each.
"We not only implement...we are committed to development programmes and when we compare the two manifestos, we can see what they (the opposition) are championing and what we (BN) are fighting for. The people should be more sensitive, we don't do anything indiscriminately but we do things based on the policy of continuous development," he said.
On the slogan "change" propagated by the opposition, Muhyiddin said the government had already carried out transformation under its administration which carried a better meaning than "change".
He said the government had not only carried out transformation in politics, but also in terms of administration style in the government and economy.
"(Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul) Taib (Mahmud) has provided a potential successor... he has whispered to me...(to) Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) probably in a more clear manner...so, this means that there will be a young leader with more credibility...this is more important, if we consider in terms of duration, (DAP advisor Lim) Kit Siang, (DAP chairman) Karpal Singh, (Kelantan Menteri Besar) Datuk Seri Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) have been around longer," he said.
Commenting on the support of the Chinese, Muhyiddin advised the Chinese voters to ensure that they had representatives in the BN government at the state level.
"Looking at the trend of support in several by-elections previously, there has been an increase in the support of Chinese voters for the BN," he said.
On the campaign, Muhyidin said the BN would work harder in the election this time and would not take lightly the challenge posed by the opposition.
He said the voters were also reminded not to be easily influenced by the opposition and independent candidates who claimed that they had received BN support at the federal level.
"They don't use the (BN) scale symbol, they use their own symbol. How can we say that they support the BN. This is all a lie," he said.
SUPP president has succession plan
MIRI, April 11 (Bernama) -- SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, a favourite target of the DAP, said that he has a succession plan while the opposition party has none.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the DAP should look at its own backyard before poking its nose in the internal affairs of another party.
"Did (DAP Advisor) Lim Kit Siang tell us about his succession plan? How about Karpal (Singh) and the Chongs?," he asked, referring to Sarawak DAP founder Chong Siew and his son, state party secretary Chieng Jien.
"We never ask about their succession plan because we all know that theirs is a dynasty. We don't have a dynasty," he told Bernama.
Chan has helmed the state Barisan Nasional's second largest party since 1996.
the DAP, which faces SUPP in 15 constituencies, has been targeting Chan's leadership of SUPP in its campaign for the state election on Saturday.
"Of course I know who is going to succeed me," Chan said.
" The 300 youth leaders that I have will give me an indication whether I am right or not in my choice.
"It is important that they accept him so the party can go full force(forward)," he added.
MySinchew 2011.04.11
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55955
The Deputy Chief Minister said the DAP should look at its own backyard before poking its nose in the internal affairs of another party.
"Did (DAP Advisor) Lim Kit Siang tell us about his succession plan? How about Karpal (Singh) and the Chongs?," he asked, referring to Sarawak DAP founder Chong Siew and his son, state party secretary Chieng Jien.
"We never ask about their succession plan because we all know that theirs is a dynasty. We don't have a dynasty," he told Bernama.
Chan has helmed the state Barisan Nasional's second largest party since 1996.
the DAP, which faces SUPP in 15 constituencies, has been targeting Chan's leadership of SUPP in its campaign for the state election on Saturday.
"Of course I know who is going to succeed me," Chan said.
" The 300 youth leaders that I have will give me an indication whether I am right or not in my choice.
"It is important that they accept him so the party can go full force(forward)," he added.
MySinchew 2011.04.11
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55955
Do not allow opposition leaders political rhetoric destroy Sarawak- Rais
KANOWIT (Sarawak), April 11(Bernama) -- Sarawakians should not allow political rhetoric of opposition leaders from the peninsula divide or destroy them, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim.
He said this was because only they themselves knew what was best for them and the state.
"Opposition leaders like Lim Guan Eng and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are now coming in and asking the people to change the government. They come to criticise your leaders as if only they are the perfect leaders and their governments the perfect governments," he said at the launching of the Nanga Machan Wi-Fi village, together with the Barisan Nasional candidate for Machan seat, Datuk Gramong Juna, at its community hall near here today.
Rais said having served under the past four prime ministers, he was confident beyond any doubt that current prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be able to do more for Sarawak in comparison to them.
On Wi-Fi villages, Rais said the government hoped to set up 600 more such villages all over the country within one year in a move to step up Internet accessibility.
Rais said the project was vital to assist the rural students in their studies, and also as an alternative communication for the people.
Rais also said that the government would be reviewing the allowance of its rural postal agents and postmen.
MySinchew 2011.04.12He said this was because only they themselves knew what was best for them and the state.
"Opposition leaders like Lim Guan Eng and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are now coming in and asking the people to change the government. They come to criticise your leaders as if only they are the perfect leaders and their governments the perfect governments," he said at the launching of the Nanga Machan Wi-Fi village, together with the Barisan Nasional candidate for Machan seat, Datuk Gramong Juna, at its community hall near here today.
Rais said having served under the past four prime ministers, he was confident beyond any doubt that current prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be able to do more for Sarawak in comparison to them.
On Wi-Fi villages, Rais said the government hoped to set up 600 more such villages all over the country within one year in a move to step up Internet accessibility.
Rais said the project was vital to assist the rural students in their studies, and also as an alternative communication for the people.
Rais also said that the government would be reviewing the allowance of its rural postal agents and postmen.
Opposition using religion to agitate voters, says DPM
SIBU, April 11 (Bernama) -- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that the opposition is playing with fire in using religious sentiment to woo voters.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that he himself had received SMS accusing Barisan Nasional of being anti-Christ and anti-religion.
"I think it would be dangerous for us to let this trend continue. Maybe we can have the authorities investigate who is sending the ill-intentioned SMS," he told reporters after meeting teachers in Sibu here.
"I myself have received the SMS. It's some kind of provocation, accusing us of being anti-Christ. Since when has BN been anti religion. We uphold Rukun Negara (the national ideology which is supportive of relion)," he said.
"They (the opposition) are using the tactic of portraying us as being anti-Christ and anti-Christian, and anti this and anti that. It is a big lie," he said, commenting on the opposition use of the Bible issue in its campaign.
Muhyiddin said that all communities are represented in BN, which has resolved many matters related to religion and race.
He said the opposition was using religion because it offered an easy way to stir emotions.
Asked on the possibility that BN would not be able to retain its two-thirds majority in the 71-seat state assembly, he said: "We don't want to anticipate the outcome."
He believed that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, had been able to make the voters understand the issues.
MySinchew 2011.04.12The Deputy Prime Minister said that he himself had received SMS accusing Barisan Nasional of being anti-Christ and anti-religion.
"I think it would be dangerous for us to let this trend continue. Maybe we can have the authorities investigate who is sending the ill-intentioned SMS," he told reporters after meeting teachers in Sibu here.
"I myself have received the SMS. It's some kind of provocation, accusing us of being anti-Christ. Since when has BN been anti religion. We uphold Rukun Negara (the national ideology which is supportive of relion)," he said.
"They (the opposition) are using the tactic of portraying us as being anti-Christ and anti-Christian, and anti this and anti that. It is a big lie," he said, commenting on the opposition use of the Bible issue in its campaign.
Muhyiddin said that all communities are represented in BN, which has resolved many matters related to religion and race.
He said the opposition was using religion because it offered an easy way to stir emotions.
Asked on the possibility that BN would not be able to retain its two-thirds majority in the 71-seat state assembly, he said: "We don't want to anticipate the outcome."
He believed that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, had been able to make the voters understand the issues.
SUPP chief optimistic of election outcome
MIRI, April 11 (Bernama) -- Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said he is hopeful of some "nice surprises" for the party come April 16.
The Deputy Chief Minister OF Sarawak said he was also happy with the party's campaigning so far, adding that the tide of support had turned in favour of SUPP, despite continuous onslaught on the party by the opposition.
He said the party was on a rebound and hoped to wrest back seats it lost in the 2006 election.
SUPP lost six of the 19 seats it contested in 2006 to DAP, and one each to SNAP (Engkelili), PKR (Padungan) and an Independent (Ngemah). Engkelili assemblyman Johnical Rayong later joined SUPP.
"It will be interesting to see the results, there will be some surprises. Nice surprises for me, I hope.
"The opposition peaked too early, the tide is turning to our side now. We are working together as a force more than before," he told Bernama when met at the Miri International Airport here, today.
MySinchew 2011.04.12The Deputy Chief Minister OF Sarawak said he was also happy with the party's campaigning so far, adding that the tide of support had turned in favour of SUPP, despite continuous onslaught on the party by the opposition.
He said the party was on a rebound and hoped to wrest back seats it lost in the 2006 election.
SUPP lost six of the 19 seats it contested in 2006 to DAP, and one each to SNAP (Engkelili), PKR (Padungan) and an Independent (Ngemah). Engkelili assemblyman Johnical Rayong later joined SUPP.
"It will be interesting to see the results, there will be some surprises. Nice surprises for me, I hope.
"The opposition peaked too early, the tide is turning to our side now. We are working together as a force more than before," he told Bernama when met at the Miri International Airport here, today.
Don't go overboard in campaigning, says Hishammuddin
KUCHING, April 11 (Bernama) -- Parties contesting in the Sarawak state election were should not go overboard in their campaigning, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said the reminder was not only directed at opposition parties but also the Barisan Nasional election machinery.
"Lies, slander and spreading hate are alien culture to the people of Sarawak. I hope Sarawakians will not fall for these but vote wisely come polling day (April 16)," he told reporters here today.
Hishammuddin, however, said overall campaigning in the election was going smoothly since nomination day on April 6.
He added that he had instructed police to give extra attention to constituencies deemed "hot seats".
MySinchew 2011.04.12 He said the reminder was not only directed at opposition parties but also the Barisan Nasional election machinery.
"Lies, slander and spreading hate are alien culture to the people of Sarawak. I hope Sarawakians will not fall for these but vote wisely come polling day (April 16)," he told reporters here today.
Hishammuddin, however, said overall campaigning in the election was going smoothly since nomination day on April 6.
He added that he had instructed police to give extra attention to constituencies deemed "hot seats".
Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/55982
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