Kit Siang: Adenan has strategy to slash DAP numbers
Lim Kit Siang plays the sympathy card in the Sarawak state election
(FMT) – In reiterating the worst-case scenario for the DAP in Sarawak where it could lose up to seven of the 12 state assembly seats won five years ago, DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang has conceded that he took his cue from Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s election strategy. “Even so, I hope that DAP retains the 13 state seats carved out of the 12 seats.”
“My second and third wishes are to make a breakthrough in Dayak seats, and for DAP together with its allies to capture the Sarawak Government in 2021.”
The DAP veteran, in pointing out that he was now 75 years old and has been 50 years in politics, however does not know whether he would still be around by the time the next Sarawak state election comes.
Adenan, he charged, wants to slash DAP numbers in the state assembly through a four-pronged strategy, the Adenan effect; the Najib effect; the politics of money; and the politics of fear and intimidation. “We must prove Adenan wrong on May 7.”
“Instead of the worst-case scenario emerging on Polling Day on May 7, the voters of Sarawak are capable of bringing forth the best-case scenario for the DAP.”
What is the best-case scenario for DAP on May 7?
Lim ventured that the best means to ensure that Adenan will not succumb to abuses and excesses of power. “This can be done by denying him the two-thirds state assembly majority.”
It’s not easy, cautioned Lim who has been suspended from Parliament as Gelang Patah MP. “It would mean the Opposition collectively winning 28 out of the total of 82 seats in the Sarawak Assembly.”
In short, continued Lim, the issue to be decided was whether there’s going to be a strong, effective and principled Opposition in the Sarawak Assembly to ensure that Adenan will deliver the election promises he has made to the people of Sarawak. “The disease of ‘Power Corrupts, Absolute Powers Corrupt Absolutely’ must not afflict the Sarawak Government in the next five years.”
The DAP is eyeing Dayak-dominated areas like Tasik Biru, Mambong, Serian, Simanggang, Pakan, Mulu and Murum. Its traditional focus has been on Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri.
The party has fielded 31 candidates in the 11th Sarawak state election drawn from 14 Chinese and 16 Dayak (four Bidayuh, nine Iban and three Orang Ulu) candidates and one Muslim candidate.
