The disclosure by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on Friday night that he has spoken to Election Commission chairman Datuk Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah on the dates for nomination and polling for the coming state election took everyone by surprise and raised a storm.
While the choice of April 18 for nomination and April 30 for polling did not raise any eyebrows given the fact the next state election must be held in June, the fact that Adenan named the dates had many taken aback as only the EC Chairman has the authority to decide on this issue.
However, the chief minister stressed that that the dates were only his preference and suggestion to EC and acknowledged that the decision on the dates for the election is the sole prerogative of the commission.
It seems this explanation is not enough to appease the opposition and rights groups as they latch on the issue to cast doubts on the independence of the EC.
Inevitably this puts Mohd Hashim under pressure in deciding on the dates as agreeing with Adenan’s suggestions would be seen as a vindication for those who accused the EC of being controlled by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).
Although the critics have a point in their arguments in this rigmarole the Adenan’s disclosure of his preferred election dates will not in any way prevent the polls to be held so carrying on with the debate would be an exercise in futility.
Now that they have their say, the opposition should let the issue die down and roll up their sleeves to prepare for the battle ahead instead of flogging a dead horse.
Although the state BN has not quite put its house in order as there is still the vexing Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) – United People’s Party (UPP) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)- Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) impasse to solve, the coalition’s victory in the coming polls is a foregone conclusion.
The main component parties Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and its strongest component partner Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) all set for the polls, BN looks set to win more than half of the 82 state seats.
However, Adenan wants more than just a victory – he wants a big mandate.
He has often declared that a resounding show of support from Sarawakians would put him in good stead to negotiate with the federal government on the rights of the state as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the devolution of power to the state.
Whether he gets that big win in the next state election hinges on voters in the urban seats which have always presented the biggest challenge to the State BN.
Compounding the situation the urban constituencies are also the battle ground for SUPP and UPP.
It is therefore vital that Adenan finds an amicable solution to stand-off between the two urban based parties or risk losing those seats to the opposition who would stand to gain from any the unresolved conflict between them.