Three reasons for BN’s landslide victory

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional romped to a landslide victory in today’s Sarawak election and this can be attributed to three main factors, political analyst Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak said.

Mustafa told FMT that the three main factors were Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s popularity, regaining the confidence of the Chinese community and the weakness of the Opposition with their infighting and wrong strategy.

On Adenan’s popularity, Mustafa said the PBB President had made his mark since taking over the reins as chief minister on March 1, 2014, thus showing he was his own man.

“People have almost forgotten the previous administration (under former CM Abdul Taib Mahmud) which had courted much criticism and raised various concerns.

“Adenan has been championing the rights of Sarawak and its people, so much so that he has made the Opposition redundant,” he said, adding the CM’s firm stance on various issues and even against Putrajaya resulted in him being seen as a leader the people could trust.

Mustafa also attributed BN’s sweeping victory to Adenan resolving most of the issues between the SUPP and UPP.

Mustafa, who is Head of the Political, Security and International Affairs Council with the National Council of Professors, said Adenan’s handling of the matter had instilled confidence within the Chinese community. As a result, BN were able to win some of the Chinese-majority seats which DAP were touted to win.

The final factor, Mustafa said, was the infighting between Pakatan Harapan allies, DAP and PKR, as well as the incorrect strategy of focusing on national issues.

He said national issues like 1MDB were complicated, even to an urban audience.

“Furthermore, the concerns of Sarawakians, even those in urban areas are different. In Sarawak, the politics of development is crucial.”

Mustafa said Adenan had convinced the people with his 50 initiatives and actions, which were tangible, and this was what the people wanted. The Opposition, he added, had tried to convince people on matters that were subjective.

He said the Opposition should have focused their campaign on tangible ideas for Sarawak rather than to play up national matters.

The BN retained control of the state after today’s polls, winning 72 of the 82 seats. DAP and PKR won seven and three seats, respectively. This was compared with the 12 seats DAP won in the last state polls. PKR won three seats in 2011 too.

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