‘Voters are not blind, they chose opposition for a reason’

Instead of intimidating the voters about the lack of BN's Chinese representation, SUPP has been advised to reflect on why the voters ditched them.

KUCHING: The Sarawak PKR women’s wing has rushed to the defence of voters in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and elsewhere who voted for Pakatan Rakyat candidates.

Said vice-president Voon Shiak Ni: “They did not cast their votes blindly, they did so for a reason. They thought it was necessary.”

“We have to remind Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and the BN (Barisan Nasional) component parties that when someone makes an effort to come out and even travelled back from outstation to cast his or her vote, she or he took the trouble and did that for a reason.”

SUPP and BN leaders have accused the voters of making a ‘wrong and emotional’ choice in voting for the opposition candidates.

Ridiculing SUPP for the remarks, Voon said: “It is very unfair and an insult to the voters that they are emotional when they cast their votes to the opposition.

“In other words, they are saying the voters are not rational.”

She said that instead of intimidating the voters about the lack of Chinese representation in the state assembly, SUPP should reflect on the reason why the people did not want to give their mandate to the party any more.

“If SUPP is sincere in servicing the community and performing for the interest of the rakyat, then we call on them to boldly take up the challenge with the opposition parties and prove that they can do better for the rakyat in the next five years.

“The people will return the mandate to whoever party that can help the people better.

“What is the fuss?” she asked.

Many irregularities

Voon said that democracy is about the people being the boss and the ‘wakil rakyat’ are chosen to look into their needs and problems.

“PKR women’s wing express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all voters who had given us the trust and confidence.

“Because of the encouragement and support from the ground, we will continue our struggle for change and better governance,” she said.

Voon also said that the recent elections had many irregularities.

“For example, at SK Ong Tiang Swee, where I myself was the station leader, one of my polling agents had made a protest against a voter given two ballot papers.

“My counting agent was also no given the Form 14 and I myself had to ask for it from the election official.

“Had there been a fairer level playing ground and a cleaner process, we would have done much better,” she said.

PKR won three seats in the recent state election – Batu Lintang, Ba’Kelalan and Krian.

Its Pakatan partner DAP won 12 seats in Pending, Padungan, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawah, Bukit Assek, Pelawan, Dudong, Meradong, Repok, Kidurong, Piasau, and Pujut.

One seat was won by independent George Lagong in Pelagus.

BN won 55 seats in the 71 seat State Legislative Assembly. - FMT