WINNABILITY is the BN’s express criterion for picking candidates to contest in the next general elections.
It means fielding contestants with the best chance of winning. So traits that are predisposed to success will be important considerations.
BN electoral aspirants bereft of such qualities and its incumbents whose support has waned, will be dropped. Barring any last-minute change (which is unlikely), that’s pretty much the bottom line.
This only-the-best-will do formula, espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, has been tried and proven in three peninsular by-elections — Hulu Selangor, Galas (Kelantan) and Tenang (Johor) — and one in Sabah (Batu Sapi) — where the BN bounced back with increased majorities.
Before this, aside from Batang Ai (Sarawak) where it won comfortably, the BN had lost in three other by-elections — two in West Malaysia (Bukit Gantang, Perak and Bukit Selambau, Kedah) and one in Sarawak (Sibu).
But since then, with the introduction of social and economic transformation policies, financial liberalisation and the 1Malaysia concept, Najib has, after assuming the premiership, been able to regain ground lost in the so-called 2008 political tsunami.
The BN will want to build on its winning momentum in another three by-elections – Merlimau (Melaka) on March 6, and Kerdau (Pahang) and Port Klang whose polling dates are not yet known.
The more pressing matter at hand is, of course, the upcoming polls in Sarawak whose 71-seat legislative assembly expires in July this year. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud indicated lately he now has the inspiration to fix a polling date although he did make it clear reports saying he will shortly see the Head of State on dissolving DUN are mere speculations.
In the 2006 elections, the Sarawak BN won 63 out of the 71 seats at stake — PBB 35, SUPP 12, PRS and SPDP 8 each. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took eight seats – six to DAP (mostly at SUPP’s expense) and one each to Parti Keadilan Raykat (PKR) and Party Cinta Malaysia (PCM).
Sarawak has always been a BN bastion because of its solid record in delivering its share of seats. For that, it has been dubbed a BN “safe deposit” state – a distinction it hopes to maintain in the coming polls.
A testy issue facing the Sarawak BN now has to be the fate of Pelagus state assemblyman, Larry Sng, presently party-less following dismissal by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) for alleged insubordination.
Despite calls by some state BN component leaders for Sng to be re-admitted into his former party, PRS has refused to budge. Party chief Dato Sri Dr James Masing has repeatedly ruled out any patch-up with some PRS higher-ups calling the divorce”permanent.
The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) is threading gingerly on the issue. Its president Dato’ Sri William Mawan is mum on talks the party is contemplating giving Sng a veneer of BN legitimacy by allowing him to contest on an SPDP ticket.
Mawan said the matter could only be resolved by the BN Supreme Council, adding emphatically that any decision reached must be respected by everyone – meaning it has to be unanimous.
The SUPP is in the same boat. Being predominantly Chinese-based, it should be the most appropriate party to accept Sng. But that is not likely to happen, considering SUPP already has its hands full trying to put its house in order before the election. Moreover, the rank and file may see the move to admit Sng as depriving other party aspirants of the opportunity to move up.
Sng’s position is further compounded by media reports that the BN Supreme Council has rejected his application to be a direct member. But the 32-year-old who became the youngest state assemblyman in 2001, has dismissed such reports as rumour-mongering.
Sng, who won Pelagus in 2001 and 2006, is an assistant minister with three portfolios. Taib has said he plans to keep the young lawmaker who is “very useful to the government and whose loyalty to BN is unquestionable.”
Although Sng’s status remains unresolved, he is, undeniably, an effective Barisan YB and is extremely popular in his constituency. Being young, efficient and most importantly, loyal and fully backed by his constituents, he is an invaluable asset to the government.
Despite his predicament, Sng’s value as a candidate has not diminished because of his winnable profile which is what the BN is looking in all its candidates for the coming election. Ultimately, Sng’s fate will rest with the top BN leadership.
While the peninsula-based PR may only have a token presence in Sarawak mainly through DAP in some urban centres, it’s unwise to underestimate the opposition as the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassan has advised.
It is imperative that the Sarawak BN must not lose sight of who their real political foes are. Being in the same family, the component parties should compromise and reconcile where possible for the greater good of the BN.
They must avoid getting bogged down by unnecessary internal internecine. The debacles in 2006 and 2008 should serve as timely reminders of the need to pull together to ensure winnability in what is expected to be the BN’s toughest election to date.