MIRI: Two opposition leaders believed that the Sarawakians are ready for change and that the political tsunami that had swept the Peninsular Malaysia in the 2008 election had finally landed in Sarawak through Sibu.
“The victory to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) through the DAP in Sibu is a sweet confirmation that the political tsunami had finally landed in Sarawak. Both the rural and the urban areas are hungry and waiting for political change,” said the president of Sarawak National Party (SNAP) Edwin Dundang.
“The people in Sibu have voted for change. I believe that the people of Miri will emulate the courage of the people in Sibu in the next state election in voting for change,” said the chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP) Fong Pau Teck.
Both of them were interviewed by the Borneo Post for their comments on the Sibu by-election which was won by Wong Ho Leng of DAP by a 398-vote majority against Robert Lau of Barisan Nasional (BN).
Fong was of the opinion that the state election will not be held soon.
“Had BN won the Sibu by-election, the state election would be held this year to capitalise on their win. As it turned out, the state government will definitely delay the state election to next year. But this will not stop the political tsunami that had started in Sibu from sweeping through the whole of Sarawak in the coming state election,” said Fong, who had stood as opposition candidate in Miri on at least two occasions but lost.
Edwin attributed the win by newly formed opposition pact in the state (PR) to three factors.
The PR made the right choice of candidate in Wong Ho Leng. The second factor was the overwhelming support of the people who are ready for change. The third factor was the level of unity shown by the PR and the hardworking PR leaders that had campaigned through the width and length of the constituency.
“This victory is indeed historic because this is the first time that PR contested in any election and won. This win has a far-reaching significance toward the two-party system in Malaysia,” said Edwin.
“The victory by PR was a feat in itself. Sibu has been the stronghold of BN and in spite of the billions of ringgit worth of projects being poured into Sibu during the by-election, this is the first time the people reject ''money politics'' that the law cannot control,” he added.
Edwin said the win by the opposition in the Sibu by election signalled that people in Sarawak had awakened from their political slumber. ENDS.
“There is hope on the horizon for a political change” said Edwin. ENDS.
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