Sarawak State Election: DAP Trying Utmost to Hoodwink Dayaks

*

The majority of DAP members in Sarawak are Dayaks, says Sibu MP Oscar Ling, who is also a DAP Sarawak Committee Member. This statement is indeed a big surprise considering the fact that DAP is largely a Chinese based party in the country.

If he had asserted that DAP had made significant inroads into Dayak areas, it may be easier to understand. After all, they have made some attempts there in the last State Election in 2016, where DAP contested in 8 mixed rural seats, though failed to win any. That was three years ago and since then they have campaigned hard to strengthen their position there and in a few more Dayak constituencies.

Is it possible that they have registered a large number of members in Sarawak rural areas? Even if they did, is it possible that the new Dayak membership has eclipsed the Chinese in the party? It doesn’t sound credible, though such assertion may give reason for GPS to worry about. Even PKR would not be happy. After all ever since the time of Pakatan Rakyat, PKR has focused its attention on rural Sarawak, and that DAP be confined to The Chinese areas only.

It is hard to expect that DAP is contented to be confined to Chinese areas, thus playing a second fiddle only in Sarawak politics. Just like any other party, DAP is also tempted to have a Chief minister from among their ranks. Why not YB Chong, their state Chairman instead of somebody from PKR like Larry Sng or Baru Bian. This can only happen if DAP wins the largest number of seats for the coalition, and if Pakatan Harapan wins in the coming State Election.

GPS being the incumbent in practically all the rural constituencies will not find it plain sailing the next time around. If Semenanjung politic is of any indication, DAP’s campaigining method there has been more effective than those of other parties.

The party has been most consistent in its struggle in the past, thereby managed to gain full trust of practically everyone in the Chinese community. It has a large cadre of loyalists especially among the young who are most willing to assist in its struggle on voluntary basis. They are bound to have excellent feedback mechanisms and thus know where exactly to deploy their resources for best impact.

Just food for thought. Think of DAP’s Penang 1, Penang 2 and Penang 3 campaign attempts in three consecutive General Elections before they succeedded in toppling BN government there. Think of their efforts to capture Johor which is the UMNO stronghold. Nobody could believe that it could happen. But it has happened. All these are due to DAP’s consistent efforts and determined struggle backed up by a good strategy and excellent campaign machinery unmatched by any other party.

Their hate speeches and online attacks have been aimed at dividing the Malays who are now split into five political parties. The result, DAP is now the dominant political force in the country. So the saying goes: During Najib’s time, money is King, but during Tun Mahahthir’s time DAP is the King.

Even Putrajaya could not be captured without DAP which managed to convince 95% of the Chinese voters as to who to vote. Without DAP’s ingenuity, some 38 Malay MPs from Pakatan Harapan would not have won in the last General Election.

Now the Malayan Malays have suddenly awakened to the fact that their once all powerful Tun Mahathir as president of UMNO is no longer what he was before. He no longer has mandate from Malay electorates, but instead was put there by DAP and PKR with mandate from the non Malays. In fact, a study by Ilham Centre revealed that 60% of the Malays believed that Tun Mahathir is controlled by DAP, the dominant political force in the Pakatan Harapan government.

Now DAP has trained its eyes on Sarawak State Election. The tell- tale signs are obvious. DAP and PKR Ceramah are getting more rampant in rural areas. We may see more ceramahs spreading racial suspicion between the Dayaks and the Malays and religious tension between Christians and the Muslims. Do we need this type of politicking in Sarawak? Spreading hatred and causing split? That is not our tradition.

Yet this will likely come from a party which claims to be multiracial in a state like Sarawak where people of various races and religions mix freely in a tolerant atmosphere. This may become thing of the past once DAP starts to hold ground.

Compare this with GPS, the former Sarawak component of BN, the very party that has promoted and maintained multiracial and multi-religious harmony since the last forty over years. Being fully Sarawakian now, GPS should also be the party best geared to fight for Sarawak’s Rights. Hence, its new found courage to fight without fear or favour as personified by Abang Jo himself lately.

As we all know, YAB Abang Jo has taken big steps ahead to reclaim Sarawak’s autonomy under MA 63, reclaim Rights over Oil and Gas resources and more recently, daring move to impose Sales Tax on Oil and Gas exports. It is now for the people of all races to join this sacred mission to fight for Sarawak Rights and live with this slogan Utamakan Sarawak/Sarawak First. END

*

DAH IKHWAN

.