For Sarawakians, voting a popular chief minister means supporting an unpopular PM

Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (left) has won Sarawakians with his people-friendly policies, but his party is also part of the Barisan Nasional coalition headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, whose popularity ratings took a beating recently. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 25, 2015.

With less than six months before Sarawak goes to the polls, voters are still trying to decide whether to support a popular chief minister, as it would also mean voting for an unpopular prime minister.

Even opposition party members have acknowledged that Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s popularity, after some 18 months in office, could dent their chances of making more headway in this largely rural Bornean state.

But Adenan is from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition headed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak, whose popularity rating dropped according to the latest survey by independent pollster Merdeka Center.

The prime minister is under pressure over alleged financial wrongdoing in his brainchild, state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), as well as over the unexplained RM2.6 billion fund transfer to his personal accounts.

Sarawak, Malaysia's largest state, is also the most rural state due to its vast interior.

A Kuching taxi driver’s sentiments illustrate how hard it would be to counter Adenan, whose popularity soared after he abolished bridge tolls, cut river ferry fares and declared war on illegal loggers.

“I have voted for DAP four times in previous elections but this time I will vote for the BN because the chief minister is very good,” the taxi driver told The Malaysian Insider.

There is a steep decline in approval for Datuk Seri Najib Razak, according to Merdeka Center's findings. – October 25, 2015.“(Adenan) also asked for only five more years as chief minsiter. So why can’t we give him the opportunity this time after all he’s done,” said the driver.

Among Adenan’s noteworthy decisions were to abolish tolls for the Miri-Brunei Asean bridge and the Lanang bridge in Sibu.

Sarawakians using the Miri-Brunei bridge will save RM10 per trip while those in Sibu stand to save between RM3 to RM15, depending on their vehicles.

He also brought down fares for ferries plying the Baram river from Miri to Marudi.

Adenan, who became chief minister in February last year, stands as a stark contrast to the controversial Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose 33-year rule was always dogged by allegations of corruption.

The new leader has promised to get a bigger share of Sarawak’s oil revenues from the federal government, by raising petroleum royalties to 20% from 5%.

A tourist takes a ride in a boat as it passes the Sarawak state assembly building in Kuching. Many agree that Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem's style starks in contrast with that of his predecessor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 25, 2015.He has also put more effort into completing the long-delayed Pan-Borneo Highway that will expand a major transport artery linking all major towns in Sabah and Sarawak.

These initiatives are part of the reason why a Merdeka Center poll in July found that Adenan’s approval rating stands at 74%.

Sarawak's Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) election director Mohamad Jolhi said the opposition had to work a lot harder this time to overcome the goodwill Adenan has received.

“I expect even the DAP will see some losses, what more PKR because of Adenan’s track record," Jolhi told The Malaysian Insider.

Despite the uphill task ahead, he expects Amanah to at least win one seat in the election in the party’s maiden debut.

“We have to strengthen the opposition in Sarawak so that the people get more benefits,” he said.

Other Sarawak opposition politicians point to the hardships caused by Putrajaya’s policies as having a greater effect than Adenan’s decisions.

“The GST (goods and services tax) and the loss of our country’s monies have impacted the ordinary Sarawakian just like the people of the Peninsula," said Sarawak PAS election director Jofri Jaraee.

Jofri is confident that PAS will be able to win at least one seat in this election after repeatedly failing in the past.

Some opposition leaders are confident they will do better in the polls, expected by March next year.

“I believe that DAP will increase its seats from the 12 it has now to 24,” said Abdul Aziz Isa, a Sarawak DAP leader who does not believe that Adenan’s track record is an obstacle.

“I believe that when we go down to explain to the people, they will realise that Adenan is just playing a perception game when he just first came into office.”

Aziz (pic, left) said the good that Adenan has done will not be enough to cover up the problems Sarawakians face, which begin from BN leaders in the peninsular.

Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR election director Baharuddin Mokshen said Adenan’s overtures will only affect urban voters, particularly the Chinese.

Rural voters faced the same problems and this would be positive for the opposition in the election.

“I am confident that PKR can increase its seats from three to 10 in the election,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Adenan, however, reportedly said yesterday that the opposition should not equate votes for him with votes for Najib and 1MDB woes.

"1MDB has nothing to do with Sarawak. I don’t even know what 1MDB is until six months ago. Now, the opposition is trying to associate me with Najib," he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini.

- TMI