Sibu By-Election

Sibu by-election is going to be a tough fight between two Chinese candidates in this urban area. DAP named its Sarawak chief Wong Ho Leng, while BN will be represented by Robert Lau Hui Yew from SUPP.

The Hulu Selangor by-election went to BN and this is no doubt a boost for BN in Sibu by-election. However, with the 53,679 (60%) of Chinese voters, the ball game is entirely different from Hulu Selangor.

By understanding the Chinese mind, we can safely conclude that whoever wins is no big deal as long as the people’s needs are looked into. However, if it is for the state seat, a very high percentage will go to BN to win.

It is a practical way to make the “adun” work for the benefits of the people in that constituency. And as for the parliamentary seat, it is wise for the candidate from the opposition to be voted in for stronger voice in the august house. This is a plus point for Pakatan Rakyat since Sibu by-election is for parliamentary seat.

Robert Lau unlike Kamal (Kamalanathan), who has won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat with the help of the Indians to create the tip and the Malay voters who felt threatened by the power that may be. So the candidates have to work into the mind of the Chinese why he deserves their votes.

There is a need to see at least 45,627 (85%) of the total eligible Chinese voters coming out to vote for Pakatan Rakyat in order to be in a safe margin. It is going to be tough but not impossible.

The Chinese in Sibu may be the kingmaker to determine who should win or otherwise. Their crucial decision is how well-informed they are on the disheartening issues happening in the peninsula.

Like the Indians, the Chinese too have been insulted despite how they had toiled in this land to make it a truly a multi-racial country since pre and post independence.

Today’s economy plays a critical role. The impact on their businesses is downright the deciding factor and with the education policy not in favour to the masses will definitely see what they will do in the polling day.

The Chinese people are spread throughout the world and to be able to read the Chinese way of thinking will have the added advantage. The way how they think is their survival instinct and the way how they are going to act will definitely be without reservation.

To get the Chinese for whatever support it should be followed by the question of physiological needs, and harness it with proper education policy (which is in a dire need for revamp) then the influencing factor will start to lurk within.

This is stark in the Chinese way of thinking and for Sibu, the Chinese works with their clans is the influencing factor to determine the yardstick who they want to represent them in parliament. So, strike while the iron is hot and on the right nerve, then the Chinese thinking faculty may work in a wondrous way.

In this Sibu by-election, the speculation is that the punters and bookies may call the shot, but I beg to differ. Whoever can speak their “mind language” has the advantage - the language of truth that brings fear to their very own existence to help shaped their decisions.

We may see a high possibility of paradigm change in this Sibu by-election because the Chinese have felt the impact of marginalization too. Their ability to be sustainable financially and to see themselves through is from a small percentage of the able Chinese and what about those who are wage earners?

The petty traders struggling for a living may have their licenses revoked and such threat (if PR wins) is uncommon from the power that may be. When their livelihood is at stake, the chances to garner their support will become more difficult.

A bowl of noodles now may cost RM5.00 and what is to come when GST (Goods and Services) tax is enforced, then the spending power will be drastically reduced leaving pittance to stay afloat. This is painful indeed, so is the courage to make the change.

Barisan Nasional, on the other hand, will keep pounding on with their unethical ways, be it threats, goodies and promises like what had happened in the last two by-elections.

And in this Chinese majority area, the Sibu voters will give Barisan Nasional a run for its money.

- We have to see at least 85% of Chinese voters coming out to cast their votes. (Very much depended on those above 35 years of age because the younger ones have left for greener pastures).

- Independent candidate(s) to lose deposit.

If the majority of the Chinese allows Pakatan Rakyat to lose by a close margin, then expect what to come with apocalyptic consequences. By then, don’t have to look around for someone to blame because the people to be blamed are those who keep looking around.

To which way will the wind blow is much depended on the voters’ wits. “Sibuhans” have to play their cards right to rid the “fixed deposit” trademark and dare for a change.

It is better to embed the benchmark to create history rather than such trademark to stay belittled!