‘Hot’ battles in rural areas

CONTRARY to Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s admission that fewer than 10 seats – and they are located in urban areas in the Kuching and Sibu Divisions – are “black areas” for Barisan Nasional (BN), analysts said the ruling coalition is also at risk in four Orang Ulu constituencies.

They cited discontent among rural folk over the lack of infrastructure development and amenities in their areas.

Six of the 82 state seats are Orang Ulu constituencies, namely Ba’ Kelalan, Batu Danau, Telang Usan, Belaga, Murum, and Mulu.

There will straight fights for the first three seats; whereas Belaga will be contested by three candidates and the last two will see four-cornered battles.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily yesterday, the latest feedback on the ground showed that BN faces uphill battles in Telang Usan, Ba’ Kelalan, Murum and Mulu.

Orang Ulu, who are made up of minority ethnic groups, reside in the interior of the state, especially Baram, Belaga, Limbang and Lawas.

Political analysts believe that this time around, Orang Ulu are more aware of their rights and local issues.

Orang Ulu constituencies have been facing a long list of problems, including the lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools; lack of amenities like water and electricity supply; and issues such as native customary rights to land.

In addition, residents in Telang Usan and Murum are concerned about the construction of the Baram Dam.

During his recent visit to Telang Usan, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak indicated that the constituency was a hot seat.

The prime minister has promised the rural folk in Baram that a series of development projects would be implemented to benefit them.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also made a series of visits to rural constituencies, underlining the BN top leadership’s efforts to turn these hot seats into safe areas for BN.