My Longkang

It is very timely that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak clarified yesterday that UMNO has no intentions to spread its wings to Sarawak. There has been much speculation prior to this. Even last night at a kopi session with some friends at a leading hotel in Sibu, this was the topic of speculation.

This has been a topic of speculation because other Semenanjung based-parties like the DAP have made significant inroads into the state politics in the recent elections. Party Keadilan too jumped onto the band wagon with Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, especially his wife becoming a rallying call among Kuching town voters eager to hear her side of the story. People are people and tend to be sympathetic to the downtrodden.

Interest and curiosity nor attendance at political rallies ensure success at the polls all the time. But it does give invited speakers an audience to vocalize their views. To give their side of the story. However PAS has failed to establish any significant network in the state. It is expected in the coming elections, the scenario will be the same for this party.

Sarawakian voters are by and by more pragmatic and concerned about development, bread and butter issues. Politics based on religion will find it hard to establish itself in the state especially in the rural areas. In urban-based constituencies, the electorate is more ethnically diverse and any ‘ceramah’ based on religious sentiments may scare voters away.

Sarawakian politician, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Dato Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had dismissed rumours about UMNO interest in the state saying the issue had not been discussed with the State’s top Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership. He dismissed a group claiming themselves Sarawak Umno Pro-Tem Committee as illegal as it had not registered with the Registrar of Societies.