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SNAP predicts October polls for Sarawak

Posted by admin

Friday, 03 July 2009 18:13

(The Star) - Sarawak National Party (SNAP) has predicted that the state assembly would be dissolved three months from now to pave way for an early state election.

Deputy president Ting Ling Kiew said the polls would likely be in October although the last state election in 2006 was held in May. The next polls are only due in 2011.

Ting, former Bintulu MP, said Barisan Nasional might opt for early polls because the opposition parties were not well organised now.

Another indication is the frequent visits made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Sarawak to boost the coalition’s image, he said Friday.

Najib, who was here on a two-day working visit two weeks ago, is scheduled to be in Sibu to close the National Chinese Cultural Festival on Sunday.

Ting said SNAP would not cooperate with Pakatan Rakyat in the next state polls. ’’We are going on our own as SNAP still commands strong support as shown in the recent Batang Ai by-election,’’ he said.

Ting and his supporters had defied SNAP’s leadership and campaigned for Barisan which won in the by-election.

SNAP, which produced Sarawak’s first Chief Minister in the late Datuk Stephen kalong Ningkan, won the Engikili seat in the 2006 polls when the DAP made its biggest inroad by capturing six Chinese-majority seats at the expense of the Sarawak United People Party (SUPP).

PKR won one seat in the 71-seat state assembly.

Comments (7) Add Comment

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written by Kathy, July 03, 2009 18:57:06

If Sarawak doesn't want UMNO to rule in this state by proxy through Taib then Sarawakians should know what to do in the upcoming polls - vote in Pakatan Rakyat. So stop moaning and groaning about Taib and his ill-gotten wealth and do something about it.

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written by wongpk, July 03, 2009 19:03:18

Only those who read online knows the truth of Malaysia politic. More than 70% still under traditional-censored-media. I won't expect any seat on opposition, though I really really hope to see more than "a few"...

FYI, once Taib down, means lots of businessmen and construction also down!

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written by concernedinmalaysia, July 03, 2009 19:13:10

I have said it before, if PR only gets 1 seat out of 71 when on the mainland the ratio is closer to 50:50(kind of) there is something very fishy going on, or the people there are so brainwashed and or misinformed. PR needs to do something to counter these possibilities ASAP!!!

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written by bujangsenang, July 03, 2009 19:15:12

Ting. Tell yr white hair boss that BN won Batang Ai becos u campaigned for BN and see if u will say goodbye to yr political career under him. Such nonsense. SNAP had its day. Its a write off today.

Kathy, FYI, those sarawakians moaning and groaning about Taib and his ill-gotten wealth are not the same people who voted BN. The BN voters just smile and receive their maggi mee during elections, then they wait for another election. In between elections, they hunt, gather, plant, eat, drink and be jolly. Cheers to you.

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written by hiro, July 03, 2009 23:35:11

This prediction is very timely. Pakatan should wake from its slumber and pull its socks up and get its act together for a major showdown and put its seal on national politics as the upcoming political force.

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written by sarawakian, July 04, 2009 00:07:38

it is always interesting to see people from West Malaysia trying to tell Sarawakians what to do about politics and who to vote for.

maybe it would be good if some of you actually come to Sarawak and see how BIG we are and how spread out the population is. also note the lack of internet and communications access to a large majority of the voters. so what do these people hear and read (mostly hear since most of them can't read or have access to anything other than RTM) about politics?? polished MSM

it is a good tactic by Taib Mahmud to have an early election. better get it done and over with before the Opposition makes more inroads. and better do it quick because he might not live that long...

anyway, Anwar and his gang would need a LOT of support in transportation if they want to campaign. in the last 50 or so years, it is always the BN who wins because they are the ones who can abuse all the state gov't machinery (depts and equipment) to do campaigning. the Opposition does not have that advantage. and it will be very COSTLY.

is conquering Sarawak really on Pakatan's mind?? how will it be done?? i think campaigning to win will be as easy as striking a deal with Taib Mahmud, unless Pakatan secures a really rich (and capable) Sarawakian sponsor.

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written by sarawakian, July 04, 2009 00:14:42

and another reminder..

most everyone in the main towns are already with the Opposition unless they stand to benefit financially with BN in power. campaigning to them would be a futile effort anyway. the real power is in the rural areas and that's why it's so hard for the Opposition and so frustrating for us in the main towns.

i guess Pakatan Rakyat already knows this and they're doomed if they don't.

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