Pakatan Harapan makes breakthrough in Bidayuh areas

KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has made a breakthrough in Bidayuh areas by winning two of the three Bidayuh-majority parliamentary constituencies, with many dubbing this feat as the ‘Bidayuh Tsunami’.

PH won in Mas Gading and Puncak Borneo through DAP and PKR candidates respectively, while the DAP candidate in Serian reduced the previous majority achieved by the winner from Barisan Nasional (BN).

PH supporters rejoiced as soon as unofficial early results of votes tallied from polling centres favouring the PH candidates were announced on social media platforms yesterday afternoon. These seats have long been considered BN strongholds. DAP candidate in Mas Gading, Mordi Bimol, could be considered as a ‘giant killer’ after he defeated its incumbent from BN, Progressive Democratic Party ( PDP) secretarygeneral Datuk Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, by a 3,024-vote majority. Nogeh was also a federal deputy minister. In Puncak Borneo, Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR)’s Willie Mongin trounced BN new face Jeannoth Sinel, by a 4,005-vote majority in a three- cornered fight, with Sarawak Reform Party Sarawak (STAR) candidate Buln Ribos.

It was Mordi and Willie’s second appearance in the parliamentary election.

In Serian where there was three- cornered fight, DAP’s Edward Andrew Luwak – also in his second attempt at the seat – lost by 9,905 votes to BN candidate Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, who would enter his seventh consecutive term as the MP.

BN’s defeat, especially in Mas Gading, was unexpected as Nogeh, who was the federal Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, had introduced the planting of highly-prized crops Musang King durian and MD2 pineapples to improve the people’s income.

Living near the state capital, the Bidayuhs in Mas Gading are more exposed to social media and they are not afraid to express dissatisfactions with the BN and to report any matter within the constituency.

In Puncak Borneo, social media also played a major role in PH’s victory, in addition to personal issues against the BN candidate.

Willie is known to be an avid social media user, having been uploading reports and photos of his movements in the constituency. He had also been live-broadcasting his speeches during the campaigning period.

Trouble had been brewing in BN’s camp in Puncak Borneo, where there was intense lobbying by at least 20 individuals.

Disunity and cracks in BN camp had been happening ever since Jeannoth’s candidacy was announced, and the land-grab allegations against him had exposed BN to constant attacks from PH, which might have influenced the vote swing.

In Serian, the use of social media was not as widespread. Riot’s majority was reduced from 13,151 votes in 2013, to 9,095 votes this time.

Whether they would admit it or not, BN Bidayuh leaders have to concede that social media can influence election results. They have to buck up on this aspect, as well as be more attentive to the grassroots, before the ‘Bidayuh Tsunami’ could spread to Serian and influence the results in the next state election, expected by 2021.