SIBU: There is a higher chance for Barisan Nasional (BN) to wrest back the urban seats in the next state election if the Chinese remained united under one party.
Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, who is state BN secretary-general, was asked if the coming polls would see urban seats returning to BN as well as the swing of support from the Chinese community to the coalition, given the soaring popularity of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“There is swing to BN, definitely but if the Chinese are united under one party, the chances of winning would be better,” Dr Rundi, who is Kemena assemblyman, told thesundaypost.
In the 2011 state election, BN won 55 of 71 seats.
PBB secured all 35 seats it contested in, while SUPP only managed six out of 19; PRS eight out of nine; and SPDP six out of eight. Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is Asajaya assemblyman, personally hoped to see the urban seats returning to BN in the next state election.
He said urban seats to be contested by PBB such as Satok, Nangka and Jepak would definitely be going to BN but those eyed by SUPP, or maybe united People’s Party (UPP) would present a tough fight for the candidates.
“We do hope that the soaring popularity, openness and transparency of the chief minister in his short stint so far, he could bring more urban voters to lean towards BN.
“We can see that the chief minister is a leader for all communities in Sarawak. He is sincere, practical in approach, visionary and very devoted to Sarawak. Not often do we get this kind of leader,” added Abdul Karim, who is also PBB supreme council member.
Adding on, he believed that all Sarawakians — both urban or rural folk — should give him a sweeping mandate.
“This is because we need to be seen united in our endeavour to reclaim whatever rights that have been usurped or taken away from us. A simple majority win is not good enough,” Abdul Karim pointed out.
Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee too hoped that more urban seats would return to BN this time.
He reasoned that Adenan needed a strong mandate to safeguard the rights of Sarawakians.
“I hope the people would now realise that they should give full mandate to CM.”
Dr Annuar said this was not to imply that there was no need for opposition, whose role would be to check and balance.
“What we don’t need is an opposition side that is just making noise,” he said.