Sarawak, where is the road ahead?

Sarawak, where is the road ahead?
In the run-up to recently concluded general election, the question has been addressed by our speakers repeatedly since day one of the meet-the-people session in Sibu. The crowd at our ceramahs responded overwhelmingly to the campaign theme of the national DAP "Just Change It" and my persoanl campaign theme "Change you can Believe In". The results on the 8th March told us that the people could not decide where the road ahead is as Sarawak DAP only won the Bandar Kuching seat and lost the other 6 seats that we contested.

Do we blame them? Or rather can we blame them? Both answers lie in the negative as the voters are the boss and they decide where they want to go and who to put their trust on. We can talk about money politics and all the dirty tactics that the BN poured on the people and the threats that were threw at the people, but it was still the decision of the voters or absenteeism (many did not turn-up) on polling day that matters.

The day after polling and when the results finally came through with the oppositions taking control of 5 states (Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Kelantan) and the Federal Territory, angry opposition supporters in Sarawak, in particularly in the central region of Sarawak, began cursing their fellow Sarawakian for voting against the wishes of most other fellow Malaysian in the west. The BN actually lost the popular vote in the west with only 49.65% of the total votes while the opposition secured 50.23% of the votes. The reality set in as the oppositions broke the BN’s 2/3 majority in the Parliament which made history and even more importantly they have secured the support of all the races in Malaysia, from the Malays to the Indians and even more particularly the Chinese.

Malaysian were taken aback by the news and it took them severally days to digest that they were not dreaming at all especially with the swearing-in of the Chief Minister of Penang that were broadcasted on RTM. Many cried when they saw the DAP’s secretary-general on TV, they were looking at history and they finally realized that 42 years after the formation of the DAP and after decades of unwavering support, they were able to see the fruits of the political struggle for a Malaysian-First Malaysia based on equality and fairness for all.

Chinese in particularly now see the wind of change and finally realized that their future in this country has never been so secured. They were not only angry at the BN’s Chinese based parties for their failure to stand up for what is fair and just and were particularly felt threatened by the extremists in UMNO for their verbal and physical aggression against the non-bumi in Malaysia in the last 10 years.

Sarawakian now are been thrown the ultimatum, where do we go from here? The future is in our own hands and the road ahead has been charted by the March 8th election. It is for us to grasp the opportunity of “change” and for us to walk down the path of “change” in the coming state election.

Malaysia also needs a vibrant civil society and an independent media. Without these two pillars of democracy, reform would not be possible. But we first need a strong opposition to start with, which we have achieved in the March 8th general election. Everything seems to be on the right track for the country at the moment and Sarawakian only need to jump on the bandwagon of “change” at the right time, i.e. the next state election.

David Wong

DAP Sarawak publicity sec.,

23-03-2008

The BN lost its popular vote in Penisular Malaysia

The 12th General Election held on the 8th March 2008 showed that the BN had lost the support of the people in Penisular Malaysia where it obtained 49.65% of the popular vote. The opposition made history with the control of 5 states as well as the Federal Territory and secured 50.23% of the popular vote.

After 50 years in control, the BN finally lost its control as the people finally stood up to its authoritarian rules of the country. What is most significant is the emergence of a two parties/fronts system in Malaysia. With this comes the challenges and trials of the oppositions as the people are watching them closely and their performance and cooperation will determine whether the 12th GE is only a mirage. All the opposotion parties will have to cooperate along a "Malaysian First" concept where no race or ethnic group will be left behind.

The ball is now in the oppostions' court and they have to prove to the people that they are indeed the better alternative and the hope of all Malaysian to bring this country forward after 50 years of Merdeka. The rakyat have to give them room and space and of course time to prove themselves. I have to congragulate the people in the Penisular Malaysia for their braveries to stand up for thier rights against the BN's authoritative regime who have used all sorts of dirty tactics and Acts to "control" the people.

The opposition should start first by applying pressure on the BN to do away the Printing Press and Publication Act in the parliament so that the first essential ingredient of a democratic society is being assured, i.e the freedom of expression. What else is more important than a free press to scrutinise the policies of the governments and their administrations.

David Wong
DAP sarawak publicity sec.,
19-03-2008

國陣在第十二屆全國大選獲得國50.38%，比反對黨的46.63%高，不過，在半島國陣的得票率卻比反對黨的50.23%低，即49.65%。
反對黨在半島共獲得346萬8482張票，而國陣獲得的票數為342萬8428張。
巫統在半島競選103個國席，共獲得31.96%（220萬7169張票），是國陣得票率最高的成員黨，馬華緊跟其後，在競選的40個國席中獲得12.17%（84萬489張票）。
民政和國大黨在半島的得票率分別為2.67%（18萬4548張票）及2.60%（17萬9422張票）。
反對黨方面，公正黨及回教黨個別競選64個國席，而公正黨中選31席，得票率為19.28%（133萬1264張票），是反對黨中得票率最高的政黨。
行動黨的得票率則比主要對手馬華高，即14.21%（98萬1445張票），回教黨則獲得16.46%（113萬6647張票）。
此外，反對黨在半島奪得5個州政權，假如吉隆坡也算一個州，反對黨和國陣的勢力均等，6比6。

DAP Sarawak aims for the big one

行动党放眼执政砂州准备
　　（诗巫18日讯）砂州民主行动党宣传秘书黄培根说，反对党拿下西马5个州的政权后，砂州行动党也放眼执政砂州的准备，今后的政治任务将注重于教育乡区的人民接受改变。
　　黄培根在选后的首个列常记者会上说，行动党选后也将严格监督人联党在大选期间所许下3个主要竞选承诺：
　　1.4亿的治水计划落实的时间表；
　　2.民丹莪拉曼学院完工的时间表；
　　3.行动党选前揭发米库无米现象，是为选后调高米价的预兆，今天米价每公斤已经调高50仙，选前辩驳米价不会调整的刘会洲和黄顺舸必须对人民作出交代。
　　在教育乡区人民接受改变的课题上，黄培根说，砂州乡区的资讯工艺比较落后，因此，行动党将寻求和其他反对党如国民党和申请注册中的马来西亚达雅国民议会配合，深入草根阶层。一旦反对党之间取得合作，将在来届州选举中全线攻打砂州的71个州议席。
　　为了扩大民主行动党砂州委员会的阵容，该党本月15日在古晋召开的砂州委员会会议中，委任黄华西、林素均、黄庆伟、黄良国及刘会文为砂州委员。
　　刘会文和黄良国分别是诗巫与南兰国会选区的竞选行动正副主任，在选战中也站台演说。

Sarawak will become the key batle ground (Mandarin text)

黄培根：来届州选举，砂将成两阵线战场
　　（诗巫18日讯）两度在南兰区挑战拿督张泰卿失败的民主行动党砂州委员会宣传秘书黄培根今天说，来届砂州选举，砂州将成为两个阵线的战场，新阵线不但准备执政砂州，也放眼2013年的国会大选，由于砂州在本届国会大选中贡献了30个席位，因此，谁能执政砂州就能拿下全国的政权。
　　黄培根在行动党每周二召开的记者会上说，马来西亚建国50年来首次出现今天的两线制雏形，这是西马人民所创造的历史，而不是砂州人民，但是砂州人民好福气，也有机会搭上顺风车。
　　“行动党不会满足于只当人民的喉舌，随着西马的政局大改变后，砂州行动党也跟着调整目标，希望在来届砂州选举能够取得执政权。”
　　黄培根在本届国会大选的竞选宣言是“相信就能改变”。他说，人联党选前还讥讽行动党竞选的议席少，没有能力改变什么，但是3月8日的选举成绩已经明显的告诉人民，相信就能改变，人民自己要改变就能改变，不要等待国阵来改变我们的命运。
　　黄培根说，西马人民勇敢求变的精神，让全马人民看到了希望，大家不分种族的出来投票，创造了50年来未曾出现的局势。遗憾的是，巫统和马华还企图继续走种族路线，却不知道种族政治已经为人民所唾弃。

Flood hit Sibu again, the 2nd big one within 40 days!

Flood hit Sibu again, the 2nd big one within 40 days!

The dreadful flood hit Sibu again and this time just after the general election. It was “good” timing for the BN as it has already won both the Sibu and Lanang parliamentary seats.However, would the BN cares about it now that the election is over and done with? The reality set in and the curses by the people would fallen on deaf ears of the politicians who only cares about the votes.

I was in Kuching today for our DAP state committee meeting and was at the Kuching airport at around 2:30 pm for my return flight scheduled at 3:55pm when several individuals approached me and told me “Sibu is flooded again!” I was not remorse to the sad news but I really did not know how to react appropriately at the instances. I also received numerous calls from the public that the flood is as bad as the on on the 12th December 2007. Should I respond angrily to the bad news or should I respect the decision of the people in Sibu in putting their faith with the BN in the eradication of flood in Sibu? I remember the BN’s election pamphlets telling the people that the BN is eradicating the flood while the DAP is only interested in fooling around in flood water.

Didn’t DAP lost badly (43 votes) even at the worst hit flood-prone area such as at the St. Rita polling station and the first 3 strings and first 4 strings of Uk Daik and Tiong Hua respectively to the BN’s candidate after both parties presented their views and opinions about how to eradicate the flood in Sibu? Didn’t the people in Sibu decided to trust the BN to eradicate flood in Sibu even after they had suffered for the past decade and had chosen to give the mandate to the BN?

But on the other hands, DAP still won in Bukit Assek although with a slim majority of only 311votes. It showed that the people in Bukit Assek still put their faith and hope with the DAP. These are generally the ordinary blue collar sector that had suffered in vain under the BN administration and are worst hit by the frequent flood in Sibu. Each flood brings properties damages to the people as their cars and houses are frequently submerged in water and cost them a small fortune in repair fees.

Now, what is the root cause of the frequent flood in Sibu?
It is the heavy silt built-up in the Rejang River bed which had never been dredge all these years. Heavy deforestation in the upper Rejang River by the logging industry in the past 40 years brought erosion and destroyed catchments areas along the Rejang river banks. In the 60s and 70s the mighty Rejang River used to be crystal clear and measures some 30 feet in depth but the human destruction of the natural environment had made it “sick” and it is now only 6 and 1/2 feet in depth. Now, where would the water flow when there is heavy downpour in the upper Rejang basin? Of course, it overflows the river banks and into the inland such as the Lanang areas and Jalan Kapor, Jalan Hua kiew, Jalan Tiong Hua, Jalan Bukit Assek, Jalan Amoi, Berlian Lane and all the residential areas in Bukit Assek.

The solution is to dredge the Rejang River bed of course!
That has been universally accepted by the majority of the people in sibu except the Sibu BN Wawasan Team. For reasons best known to them, they refused to accept the DAP’s proposal to dredge the Rejang River bed and proposed instead to built the xxxx from City Vine to the Kingwood hotel and to the Sungai Merah township. That proposal of the BN would cost RM 400 millions. That BN’s proposal is not workable as it does not solve the causation part of the equation. The DAP’s proposal cost the government nothing by simply issue out more licenses to excavate the sand from the Rejang River bed. Since it costs the government nothing to issues sand excavation licenses, then what is stopping the BN GOVERNMENT? The Sibu BN Wawasan Team has a lot of explanation to do to the people if it is a caring and responsible team.

How could the BN eradicate flood when it avoids facing the root cause of the flood? We in the DAP are monitoring the election promises and pledge of the both Datuk Tiong Thai King and Datuk Robert Lau to bring in the RM 400 million flood eradicating funds within this year. The people in Sibu are watching both the MPs in Sibu closely and make sure that they are serious in eradicating flood in Sibu. Time is ticking and the people are suffering in vain, so both Yang Berhormat, please put the action where your mouths are, solve the flood problems.

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity Sec.
15-03-2008

"Change you can believe in"-David Wong

Greeting to all,
It seems that I have been away for ages, from the 13th of February till now, a total of 29 days.
I was the candidate of DAP for the parliamentary seat P. 211 Lanang in the just concluded 12th general election. I started off my campaign immediately after the Parliament was dissolved with the visiting of the interior rural area as 22 % of the voters live there, they are predominantly Dayaks communities.

After the nomination day which fell on the 24th February 2008, our campaign moved to the urban area. With ceramah or meet the people session every night in Sibu. The crowd was getting bigger and bigger as the polling day draws nearer. The crowd in Sibu was in the thousands although we experienced heavy rainfall during the whole 12 days meet-the-people session. The crowd for the final night was in the proximity of 6000 although it rained heavily that night, the 7th 0f March 2008. The climax was reached as we lighted thousands of candle and sang “A better tomorrow” in the rain.

The DAP campaign theme “Just change it” was well presented by all our speakers with the support of the theme song. We urged the people in Sibu to embrace change as the wind of change was spreading in the peninsular with the Indian, Malay and Chinese all crying for change. The 4 years rule under Abdullah’s Umno was a total failure with rising crimes, high inflation, judicial rot, corruption and mismanagements, rising racial tension, unfair distribution of wealth, unjust treatments of education allocation and of course worsened economy. We were sure that the messages reached the people who were at our ceramahs, but the major print media did not cover the “essence” of our speeches. Unfortunately, internet campaign was not even used although those more technology-savvy did visited You-tube for a view of the campaign events

Initially, we were aiming at 1+1 in Sibu area, which are we can take Lanang while having a chance to close-in on P. 212 Sibu. Our state chairman, Richard Wong Ho Leng was optimistic that DAP Sarawak can deliver 3+1 in Sarawak and told our Secretary-General about our commitment to break the BN’s 2/3 majority in the Parliament.

The 12th general election was truthfully the dirtiest election so far with money changing hands openly and blatant disregard for laws and orders. There were rumors that the SPR official and local authorities’ employees were involved in vote-buying during office hour and the words from the rural district all confirmed that “agents” of certain political party distributing money in the long houses with promises that if certain candidate was elected, every “pintu” would be given additional RM 300 after the election. There were even rumors that all the hawkers in Sibu (thousands of them) were entitled to certain “allowance” for them to turn up on polling day. Many complaint that theirs were claimed by others and thus were unhappy that they were being “ripped-off”.

I was told by one DAP member that one pastor went on the stage of the church in Sibu and openly called for the sons and daughters of the GOD to vote for one BN’s candidate as he donated generously to the church fund! What a shame that was not only to the Christian faith and to the people of Sibu, I am sure that that was not the message from the God but rather the pastor have been consumed by the devil. I have no idea how the believers reacted to the call by that pastor but it seems that those who were there did not openly condemned that most “devious” call from the servant of the God.

Postal votes in the thousand were distributed and the results showed that I only secured 14 out of the 1104 votes while my opponent secured 960 votes. There were some righteous ones who rather spoiled the votes (59) while 101 would rather not be involved by exercising their right not to cast the “dirty” ballot papers.

On top of all these, my opponent Datuk Tiong Thai King is a multi-millionaire whose family controls the Rimbunan Hijau, the world largest timber logging company. They also control the Chinese press with Sin Chew, Nanyang, Ming Pau etc under their belts. The connection of the RH group of companies and the many thousands under their pay-roll made them one of the most formidable political families in the central region of Sarawak. I have friends and relatives working for them and knew how they “reward” their employees to vote for Datuk Tiong. Many told me that they have to vote for him because they are afraid of the consequence of not voting for their “boss”.

Sibu roads in flood prone areas were upgraded and lamp posts installed in areas that were neglected before the election. Workers worked round the hours to make sure that roads were sealed within a-day; many were trapped during the peak hours such as after school and after office hours. Fortunately for the BN, there was no flood during the campaign period but unfortunately for the peoples the clogged drains were left unattended.

Where were the SPR/EC peoples? Where were the ACA peoples? It seems that the SPR workers (government employees) chose not to carry out their duties by not knowing what were going on and a fair and Bersih election was certainly not in their minds. The ACA was the sleeping beauty who slept during the whole duration of the campaign period.

The outcomes on the 8th March 2008 were history now. I lost the Lanang parliamentary by 4866 votes. The 1st string represents the most senior voters while the last string represents the youngest voters. You would note that the elders chose the BN while the youth support the DAP from the results. Also note that the Chinese urban voted in favor of the DAP while the majority of rural voted for the BN.

I might have lost the battle in Lanang in 2008, but I am sure the people have realized that my personal campaign theme “Change you can believe in” have touched the hearts of thousands especially the youth. With the tsunami of change hitting the peninsular Malaysia and the oppositions now governing 5 states (Penang,Selangor, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan) and in control of more than 1/3 representative in the Dewan Rakyats, my vision and call of “change” will hit Sibu and Sarawak soon, most probably in the next state election.

God bless Malaysia and God bless Sarawakian. Hidup rakyat and Hidup DAP!

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity sec.
12-03-2008