Landslide victory for BN

Adenan pleasantly surprised BN wins more seats than anticipated, wrests five seats from DAP

Najib (third left) and Adenan (second left) are joined by other BN leaders in celebrating the coalition’s victory in the 11th state election at the old State Legislative Assembly complex. From left are Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Ahmad Zahid, Dr Sim as well as Baleh assemblyman and PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing. — Bernama photo

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) scored a landslide victory in the 11th state election, winning 72 out of 82 seats in a landslide victory and giving the five-year mandate that he says he needs to accomplish his 53 initiatives for the state.

Although he expected a comfortable two-thirds victory, Adenan was pleasantly surprised by the margin.

“We didn’t expect to win 72 out of 82 seats, which translates to 87 per cent. At most, we expected between 65 and 66 seats but this achievement is much better.

“The Barisan managed to capture Batu Kawah, Repok, Meradong, Dudong and Piasau from DAP. These are urban and semi-urban areas, showing that the votes are swinging back to BN.

“Furthermore, other areas that are won by the opposition had recorded reduced majority,” Adenan told a packed press conference after the announcement of the result at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here yesterday.

BN achieved a simple majority as early as 8.40pm when Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah revealed that the coalition had won 42 seats in a televised announcement.

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) made a strong comeback this election after being almost wiped out in the last polls in 2011.

The party which had only two seats before the election redeemed itself by winning seven out of 13 seats it contested in this election.

Its victories include wresting five  seats from Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Repok, Meradong, Dudong, Piasau and Batu Kawah — where party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian defeated state DAP deputy president Christina Chiew and Independent candidate Liu Thian Leong in a three-cornered fight with 2,085-vote majority.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the state’s biggest BN component, secured a 100 per cent win in the 40 seats it contested.

Another BN component party Party Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) also won all the 11 seats it contested in. However, another component party Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), had mixed fortunes failing to dislodge PKR from Ba Kelalan and Krian but could take solace in its three debutant candidates — Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil and Rolland Duat — who triumphed in Tasik Biru, Marudi and Meluan respectively

The ruling coalition also recorded victories in the 11 new seats of Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Bukit Semuja, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Bukit Goram, Murum, Samalaju and Mulu.

Prior to the polls, BN already won Bukit Sari and Bukit Kota uncontested.

Also present to celebrate BN’s victory at the swearing in of Adenan as chief minister were Prime Minister and national BN chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other BN leaders who had gathered at the venue earlier to await the outcome of the result.

Najib, when commenting on the resounding victory, thanked Sarawakians for their belief in BN.

He said the landslide victory reflected the confidence of the people in Adenan’s leadership.

The prime minister was also confident that with Adenan’s leadership, the future of Sarawak would be secure.

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