My apologies for not being able to update earlier since the 7 pm posting. I’d been swept off to celebrations after celebrations for the fantastic showing by the opposition.
From a lone oppositionist in the last state assembly, there are now 9! And they were mostly credible margins.
The results as it stands tonight:-
DAP 6 seats
Independents 1 seat
SNAP 1 seat
KeADILan 1 seat
Total: 9 seats
There are a number of seats with the opposition losing by 200 votes and below.
There may also be a few recounts in some constituencies.
Overall, most seats had its majority cut substantially by the opposition. Without doubt there has been a shift in the voting pattern. If this were a proportionate representation system, the total number of votes for the opposition would have translated into more seats – alas, it’s first-past-the-post.
SUPP, known to Kuchingites as the ‘crying party’ (every day, someone would cry — oh for heaven’s sake!) lost 8 out of its 19 contested seats. Many of its stalwarts lost to novices!
Despite all the brickbats, dirty tricks and media manipulation, this has been the Sarawak opposition’s finest moment — to date.
Looking at the Padungan fight, it’s been like David and Goliath. SUPP had all the resources, manpower, money and media behind them. SUPP played the race card. They played the ‘us vs. Semenanjung’ card. They even played the Islamic card, which fortunately these smart voters called their bluff and saw through their deceit. Still KeADILan made it through a smart offensive campaign, never once letting SUPP rest to break its serve.
Congratulations to those who won, and all who tried!
Analysis shall follow tomorrow.
