Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem being sworn in as chief minister for a second term.
KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) recorded a landslide victory in the just concluded state election, winning 72 out of 82 seats.
The ruling coalition retained its two-thirds majority as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem received his first mandate from the people to lead the state.
He was sworn in tonight (May 7)as Sarawak chief minister before Yang Di-Pertua of Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
This took place at the Astana in a ceremony that began at 10pm.
Adenan was accompanied by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
Also present at the swearing in was Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Barisan received a simple majority of 42 seats as early as 8.40pm, announced Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah.
SUPP made amends from its poor outing in the 2011 state polls, winning seven out of 13 seats which include wresting Repok, Meradong, Piasau and Batu Kawah from DAP. Party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian defeated state DAP deputy president Christina Chiew and independent candidate Liu Thian Leong in a three-cornered fight with 2,085-vote majority.
PBB and PRS secured a 100 per cent victory, winning 40 and 11 seats respectively. SPDP, although losing two seats to PKR’s Baru Bian and Ali Biju at Ba Kelalan and Krian, can take solace in its three debutante candidates – Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil and Rolland Duat who triumphed at Tasik Biru, Marudi and Meluan respectively.
Adenan, who is also state BN chairman, retained Tanjung Datu in a straight fight with a 5,892-vote majority while PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing successfully defended his seat to seek an eighth term as Baleh assemblyman.
Tan Sri Wiliam Mawan, the BN direct candidate in Pakan, secured a slim majority of 426 while at Bawang Assan, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh doubled his majority to win with 9,015 votes.
On the opposition front, PAS, Parti Amanah Negara, STAR and PBDS Baru failed to win any seats while PKR retained its 2011 achievement of three seats including Batu Lintang.
DAP suffered heavy losses this time around, retaining only seven out of 12 won in the last state polls.