Election Commission Confirmed A By-Election

Written by: Dr. John Brian Anthony

Uncertainty

This morning news were floating around saying Taib may not want to have a by-election. The Election Commission has confirmed that a by-election is a must as the last State election was in May 2006 and there is more than 2 years for the current ADUN term to end in May 2011.

Lubok Antu is PRS seat

In the last Parliamentary election Jawa Gerang was replaced as he was in the wrong PRS team – Team S’ng. However PRS Masing was given the mandate to pick a candidate which they did – the current MP Nyalau. What is interesting is that YB Nyalau has always been a PBB member. How Nyalau get to be PRS candidate is left to the reader to imagine.

My imagination says that PRS was very weak organizationally in Lubok Antu and as a compromised they agreed to nominate PBB man to the seat. So PRS is not actually in the driving seat in Lubok Antu.

By the same token, PBB is more aggressive in trying to get the seat to be represented by their member while PRS is subdued on the matter. Well James, this is the crux of PRS strength because you cannot hide behind PBB most of the time to shore-up your party strength. No wonder PRS is toothless because PRS has no real in depth leadership strength.

The Trophy of Lubok Antu

Lubok Antu is the symbol of Dayak Iban entry into Sarawak from Batang Kapuas. In modern day politic, Lubok Antu decided to play the “Tipping Point” role again. The PKR used Lubok Antu to launch its Dayak leadership in the party about a year ago. It is only right now that Lubok Antu become the first electoral battle field through a by-election between PKR and BN.

Whoever win Lubok Antu will bring a legacy of being the tipping point in Sarawak politic. In this case the Dayak are more interested in the outcome as Bawin if selected to contest will represent the Dayak fight to protect and keep their land away from the BN government land grab. The government giving away land to rich investors while the poor landowners are left to pick “labourers” job in the estate.

Preparation is important

PKR has to put their accelerator pedal to the floor from today if they want to win. Winning such a by election would require detail planning on the many aspects within the process of winning voters. For example, Polling agent need to be identify early. The JKKK list , Rela members if any, those working outside Lubok Antu but voting in Lubok Antu, the names of all Tuai Rumah and their political inclination – there are so many.

PKR would need every help from the young Dayakbaru to help them to put information together and become the resources to carry out menial but important task in the campaigning phase.

Blogger Role

It is possible for blogger to cover the election – day to day and hour by hour account from Lubuk Antu? That is something that this blog will consider. Blogger can influence urban Dayak and those educated Dayak from Lubok Antu to explain their perception and view to the family, relatives and friends.

Blogger is important to counter the BN control of the media. t gives a different perspective.

BN Campaign

We can expect the usual “bossy” style coming from BN. VIP coming in big cars, helicopters and complimented with certain bossy dressing styles. There will organize grand eating function, announcing BN Government MRP, threatening those who do not vote for BN and most of all promise anything and everything to the voters.

PKR will have to be on the ground 24 hours a day to counter these lies.

The Dayakbaru volunteers should come in large numbers and stay with the electorate to ensure quick response and to counter BN propaganda machine – that is the Government Department called Information Service, Agriculture Department, Education Department etc. In deed government servants should not be involved in politicking – in Sarawak that is the norm.

Conclusion

PKR will be the underdog. PKR cannot copy BN election strategies of money politic. The BN Government in Sarawak has monopolize the wealth of Sarawak from natural resources and government CONTRACTS. Then we have those “towkays” buying and giving back favors to BN by donating large sum of money to help BN win.

PKR only hope to win is hard work and backed by detailed preparation, door-to-door campaigning, sincerity and commitment of Dayakbaru volunteers to want to bring change to Sarawak.

All these envisage change will start by PKR winning the LUBOK ANTU DUN seat. This is made even more significant as Lubok Antu is entry point of the DAYAK IBAN immigration into Sarawak some 300 years ago.

That changes in Sarawak starts from Lubok Antu is fate – for PKR who is fighting for Sarawak people’sright against corrupted Sarawak Government.

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February 24, 2009 · Filed Under Politic

Comments

13 Responses to “Election Commission Confirmed A By-Election”

Dyaks on February 24th, 2009 8:29 pm

The only thing that can defeat BN is BN itself, that is J*bu. The opposition can only reverse it to their advantage.

So by all means, just let J*bu come and campaign for BN candidate in Lubok Antu DUN seat. The more he talks the better, kind of what Ezam did for BN’s defeat in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu by/(buy)-elections.

Since J*bu’s criticism will turned into jokes plus unnecessary anger for Dayaks to enjoy(which mean some voting gains for opposition), the opposition must conserve and divert the ’saved’ resources for other fronts/ issues such as dealing with score of independents planted by BN as well. Therefore, J*bu must come and join the BN campaigns so it’s weird for J*bu to do otherwise and not talking at all, right?

Well folks, we have our own Dayak version of Ezam here, in the form of J*bu. Expect some special appearance by the Dayak Elvis look-alike a.k.a Johny-Call Elvis (another J*bu goon) with his frog-tuned Elvis song ‘Suspicious Minds’.

Come J*bu, come…Ohhhaaaiii Wooo!
mighty dayak on February 24th, 2009 10:19 pm

The time has come for Dayak to kick out crony of PBB and UMNO.
romerz on February 25th, 2009 1:14 am

You might find this article by Haris Ibrahim on Batang Ai interesting.

http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/should-not-the-batang-ai-by-election-be-first-in-time-even-before-the-two-bukits/
United States Of All Borneo on February 25th, 2009 8:37 am

Good thought Dyaks, but please keep it to ourselves for now, less Taib will send Jabu on holiday in Swiss with all expenses paid with our money.
Seliong ak Wau on February 25th, 2009 9:31 am

To the family of the late YB Dublin, our sympathy.

The question remain with PRS is the significance of this by-election. Hopefully this will not end as a “buy-election” where it rained ringgit as in Pematang Pauh and K Trengganu.

Many Ibans, including yours truly, can lay claim to use the Btg Ai as their gateway into Sarawak Borneo centuries ago. My ancestors climbed hills and mountains and went down to Btg Ai and up to Skrang. Another group went down to Btg Lupar and up to Layar. Whatever the final settlement, Btg Ai was their gateway.

PRS and PDP came from SNAP, PRS being the scion of PBDS. PDP can claim to be multiracial but PRS’s “bastion of energy” are Dayak areas. Succinctly, without the Dayak’s votes, where is PRS? But has PRS reciprocated Dayak’s loyalty? As one commentator mentioned, we cannot ask the role PRS choose to play – it’s their prerogative. How true. Now is the telling time; will PRS rely on the Dayak votes? Can they rely on the Dayaks votes in future?

This is crucial for the Dayaks; they claimed to be unrepresented in their interests. Dayaks are found in PBB, SUPP, PDP, PRS and now PKR. PBB and SUPP are parties of elites (like UMNO). Many Dayaks therefore found “solace” in PRS (after the demise of PBDS). Many were disappointed (including yrs truly) when internal squabbles split the party. To follow one faction or the other? Many just quit support for PRS, after all, what has PRS done for them? Many watched at an arm’s length.

The Btg Ai election may prove once again the significant watershed of Dayak’s survival/existence. Our ancestors came to Sarawak Borneo seeking new land and peace. We don’t have new land to farm, but surely, many Dayak’s issues are still unsettled. To whom would the Dayak’s support be? (To be continued after the by-election).

p/s: To fellow commentator Dr. Dyaks, your invitation comes right from Macbeth, “A deed without a name” (Act IV scene I) – the 3 witches calling for apparition. Symbolic.
Nyamuk on February 25th, 2009 9:33 am

PRS is happy and willing to plant another PBB on their beloved land because JJM can be tamed by some business promises by Taib, if not his seat also change hand

The B/Election will be PKR-Sarawak versus PBB-(Umno of Sarawak)+ 1 independent
Apaiajik on February 25th, 2009 9:39 am

Those who are in a position to advise DSAI on the selection of candidate to represent PKR in Batang Ai by election, please give impartial advise and chosse a candidate who got the best chance to win against BN. It can be Nick Bawin or other guy or girl or shemale (maybe). Certainly we dont need a person like J*bu or JJM to represent us, right ? Maybe a random survey should be done. Ask the voters first who do they want to represent them. I mean listen to the voice of the majority. For all the aspiring candidate(s), I wish he/she or them good luck and be prepared to work hard..
Semenanjong PKR boys and girls on February 25th, 2009 9:42 am

Why this lovely and peaceful place has been named LUBOK ANTU, can anybody tell the story and history?

Now 2 bukit plus 1 batang, we rakyat have a make a wise choice
elly on February 25th, 2009 1:48 pm

Dear All,

Sarawak mission is wants to pull out from M’sia. So, pls make your right choice. Don’t give any chance to BN (BEE END).

BEE MUST BE ENDED.

THKS DR. J.B.
dayak-rambo on February 25th, 2009 2:33 pm

young dayak or any dayaks living in urban area surely awaken..that BN is big liar, corrupt, dicrimination of their own ‘bangsa’ for the the very long time..but the old man gang stay in the longhouse most of them still have ‘ngeli lancham mentality’ thats worry me..
PRPKR must win ..
Ulu Engkari on February 25th, 2009 2:49 pm

BN and PKR will have a fight. Nich. Bawin VS BN. But what if there is someone from independent…just to spoil the vote??
bujang sinu ngenang on February 26th, 2009 3:07 pm

(Bawin if selected to contest will represent the Dayak fight to protect and keep their land away from the BN government land grab. The government giving away land to rich investors while the poor landowners are left to pick “labourers” job in the estate.)

yes that true…in my village also gvrmt do the same. nowday, many of land owner was work at thier on land as a labours(slave)….they only get rm 16 perday….but the ‘taukey” and BN politician become more rich…..

its this BN work for rakyat or represent the taukey?

conclusion….dont ever ever support BN.
BN is BARANG NAIK HARGA.
Bujang Lemanak on March 26th, 2009 10:59 am

BP. today 26.03.09 Masing hold BP. showing “BN the only ways, says Jawa” . I think masing also like jawa. if anybody rememember in 1987 ,JJM was a strong supporter of PBDS and condemned BN from A-Z but now he praised BN from Z-A. Can any body imagine what type of person YB.like JJM?. He is very similar to aki J*bu. He helped aki uban to opress the dayak community -grabbing our land, our tropical forest and many other state`s wealth which are supposed to be for the rakyat. Last time JJM also critisized BN, say bad thing about BN when he was in opposition. Why now JJM twist the fact praise the BN government knowing very well that BN government popular for its divide and rule
Come on dayak voters in L/Antu don`t listen to Jabu & Masing, these people are all nonsense.
Hidup PKR. Vote for PKR.