Kit Siang proposes merger between DAP and SNAP

UPDATED Amid statistics showing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's PKR did outperform in Sarawak, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has proposed a merger between his party and SNAP, citing urgency in getting ready for the next general election where Sarawak is expected to be a key source of parliamentary seats for the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

"Sarawak DAP cannot rest on its laurels having won 12 seats in the 416 Sarawak state general elections but must prepare immediately for the 13^th national general elections which is not far off," Lim said in a statement out on Tuesday.

"From now till the 13^th national general elections, DAP leaders, members and supporters must work with Pakatan Rakyat partners to reach out to all Sarawakians including Ibans/Dayaks and Malay/Melanaus."

Statistical proof

But whether DAP was trying to fend fresh accusations especially from former premier Mahathir Mohamad that it was a Chinese-dynastic party akin to Singapore's PAP, statistics do show that the bulk of the votes it scored in the recent Sarawak elections came from the Chinese.

However, a lot of support also poured in for the Pakatan from the other ethnic groups, especially colleagues PKR and PAS, who contested for the rural and semi-rural area.

"Currently, PKR is the only party really penetrates the rural interiors. So any move to share the burden is so welcome to us. The rural voters are the lifeline for BN and Pakatan must find a way to wrest this from them. Yes, PKR is always the target because of Umno's fear of Anwar. I am sure our Pakatan partners know this and won't try the same tactics," PKR director for strategy Rafizi Ramli told Malaysia Chronicle.

"As for the election statistics, I must point out to voters that just like in economics, there is a statistical low-base effect. Take for example the Chinese and Iban which form 31 per cent and 29 per cent of the Sarawak electorate. Their turnout jumped by 5 and 6 percentage points compared to 2006. For the Malays, the next biggest group at 27.5 per cent of the electorate, the jump is almost double by 9 percentage points. For the Orang Ulu and Bidayuh which form only 3.7 per cent and 8 per cent of the electorate, the gains are even more exaggerated by 15 and 10 percentage points each."

SNAP and the Soh Chee Wen-Salehuddin combine

The Sarawak polls had been much anticipated, enjoying great attention from overseas. Chief Minister Taib Mahmud was the target of most Sarawakians' hatred. Even his colleagues within the BN tried to take advantage of his unpoplarity to put him out to pasture but the 74-year could not be shaken.

SNAP is a long-established Sarawakian party and a shadow of its former self when it joined Pakatan two years back. It had sought to contest in only 3 seats but when the elections approached - amid accusations that it had been 'bought over' by BN-friendly parties including businessman Soh Chee Wen and former PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim - it raised its demands to as high as 42 seats before finally choosing to contest in 27 seats.

In the election that was balloted on Saturday, most of SNAP's seats were fought alongside PKR's and they were suspected of trying to play the role of a spoiler to benefit BN.

But that did not materilialise, again contrary to Kit Siang's fears.

"In the 13th national general elections, we should avoid any multi-cornered contests which can only benefit the Barisan Nasional and for this reason, I would even suggest that DAP and SNAP should seriously consider a merger of the two political parties to accelerate Iban/Dayak political awakening following the 416 Sarawak general elections," said Kit Siang.

The truth is out, PKR did outperform

In the end, SNAP only managed to win 15,663 out of 672,667 votes cast or 2.33 per cent. DAP won 134,847 or 20.05 per cent of the votes.

But it was PKR that pulled the real surprise. The party scored obtained 117,100 votes or 17.41 percent of the total ballots cast.

Yet it only won 3 seats, while DAP garnered 12.

"I think we pointed the unfairness during the tussle for seat allocations. Yes, we will say out the word - tussle. Let Khairy and BN come and poke fire, as if they don't fight for seats. But in the end, we closed ranks. Who were the super-heroes at the Sarawak ceramahs - it was entire Pakatan cast of Anwar, Guan Eng, Kit Siang, Hadi and the reception for Nurul Izzah was unbelievable. But we don't mind DAP getting the glory because it is Pakatan who benefits in the end," PKR vice president tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"If Kit Siang wishes to negotiate with SNAP, that's up to him. I guess it goes through the usual process at top Pakatan leadership council and SNAP must present a valid reason why it broke away. Yes, it was a mosquito bite ,but still, why should we take it back unless it can satisfy us with a good explanation to all the Pakatan members who fought so hard in the election.

"Lastly, I am glad the detailed statistics are out. All those who have been unkind about PKR and using the slander against Anwar to demoralize our supporters, let the results show that not only did PKR win 17 per cent of votes from Sarawakians in the most difficult of the constituencies - mind you, we didn't get the easy seats, we went to Taib's strongholds - the BN fixed deposit seats.

"But we could still capture the people' hearts and minds. It is just that we could not at one go break the gerrymandering that stopped us from sweeping the seats outright. Just like BN scored 55 per cent of votes but got 55 seats and Pakatan 45 per cent of votes but only obtained 15 seats, in Pakatan - DAP had 20 per cent of the votes and 12 seats but PKR had 17 per cent of the votes and got only 3 seats. Still, we don't regret compromising for the good of the coalition. It is just that the truth should be noted."

(Graphs and tables displaying the statistics are from Malaysiakini, with appreciation and thanks)