Chinese voters coming back to BN — Fadillah

KUCHING: Chinese voters are coming back to Barisan Nasional ( BN) as proven in the last state election, state BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

And based on the results of the last state election and general election, he believed state BN should be able to win more than 25 seats in the coming 14th general election.

“I believe BN can do better this time around as proven by the results of the state election held last year with more seats from the Chinese-majority areas,” Fadillah told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He added that the state BN has been hugely popular under the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, whose policy has been continued by his successor Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Fadillah added that the BN in general had been consistent in its efforts and policy to deliver its promises to the people.

“The people know BN delivers what it promised. One good example is the Pan-Borneo Highway. And recently, the state has been able to acquire Bakun HEP from the federal government. These two major achievements that the BN have managed to secure are for the good of the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, United People’s Party ( UPP) secretary- general George Lo said based on the results of the May 7 state election last year, a certain percentage of Chinese votes definitely had returned to BN, though not all.

“But whether these Chinese votes will stay with BN in the upcoming general election remains to be seen,” he opined.

He said the return of Chinese votes would depend very much whether BN delivered on its promises which were made in last state election.

“And issues like recognition of Unified Examination Certificate ( UEC) by federal level would be a factor because this is a parliamentary election and so far, the federal government has not taken any steps to recognise the certificate like the state government.

“Issues like the amendment to the Syariah Courts Act (Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1965), which is commonly known as Act 355, would also have an impact because if BN supports the bill, it would create uneasiness on other races because of their concern or worry that the bill might pave the way for hudud law to be introduced,” said Lo.

Lo believed that the increasing cost of living would also be an important factor which would affect Chinese voting pattern.

In general, Lo hoped that the party would be allocated not only the two parliamentary seats in Sibu but an additional seat in another area.

In the last general election, SUPP suffered the most defeat when six out of its seven seats were lost to the opposition in the Chinese majority areas. It only managed to retain Serian.

The other state BN component parties; namely Parti Pesaka Bumipuetera Bersatu ( PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak ( PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), managed to secure all their seats.

At press time, the presidents of SUPP, PRS and SPDP could not be reached for comments.

Based on the last general election, PBB will be allocated 15 seats; SUPP (seven), PRS (six) and SPDP (three).