Minos: Prepare for state polls now
KUCHING: As dust from the 13th general election settles, the state BN ought to start preparing for the 11th state election, which could be held either in 2015 or 2016.
The 10th state election was held in April 2011.
PBB deputy information chief Dato Peter Minos opined that the state BN could start by identifying and roping in the best candidates for the state polls.
“Sarawak BN will have to prepare early for the state election, to be held either in 2015 or 2016, by bringing in the best candidates because it seemed that voters put a 50-50 weightage on candidates.
“Young Bumiputeras are now more inquisitive and seek quality candidates as the state election is expected to be hard fought. So, it’s wise for the state BN to get prepared, the sooner the better,” Minos told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
The voting pattern in the just concluded polls would be reflected in the 11th state election, he said.
Minos, who is also PBB Opar chairman, said he believed Pakatan Rakyat would do likewise and would continue to focus on old issues such as NCR land and the state leadership.
On the May 5 general election, Minos said it showed that the majority of the people in Sarawak still believed in the BN which won 25 out of the 31 seats it contested.
“Winning these 25 seats, or 81 percent over all, is most credible, indicating that the vast majority of Sarawakians are still with Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib.” He hoped that SUPP would shape up to win Chinese voters. The party had contested in seven constituencies but only managed to retain Serian.
Meanwhile, PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said the party’s win in all six seats with convincing majority was proof that Dayak voters did keep their pride and dignity despite the onslaught of money politics in Hulu Rajang and Lubok Antu.
“Perhaps, it’s time for cash rich candidates to stop enticing rural Dayaks with money, and instead use sound political principles to get their support.”
Masing, who is also Minister of Land Development, also advised political analysts to stop second guessing on the polls results. It will be wrong as in the case of PRS seats in the 13th general election.
“These analysts have created unnecessary embarrassment for themselves. They should have gone to the ground and talk to the people who matters on such issues.”
Political pundits and analysts have made wrong judgments on both Lubok Antu and Hulu Rajang, where PRS candidates William Nyallau Badak and Wilson Ugak Kumbong respectively prevailed against the much-touted SWP candidates Larry Sng and George Lagong respectively.