SARAWAK Barisan Nasional have lost five rural parliamentary seats and this was was due to their leaders underestimating voter anger against caretaker prime minister Najib Razak, said analysts.

“This is a complete game changer. Sarawak can no longer be known as a fixed-deposit state,” said James Chin, director of the Asia Institute Tasmania.

Sarawak has 31 parliamentary constituencies, 24 of which are rural or semi-rural seats.

PKR has won three rural seats – Selangau, Puncak Borneo and Saratok – while DAP has taken Mas Gading. Independent candidate Larry Sng, a former state cabinet assistant minister, has won Julau. He is said to be friendly towards PH.

PH also retained Bandar Kuching, Miri and Sarikei.

Chin said the victories meant money politics was no longer a reliable method to guarantee wins.

“It means for the Ibans and Bidayuhs, the ones from the longhouses, money is not enough.

“They found the BN brand too toxic. During the campaign (caretaker) chief minister Abang Johari Abang Openg had distanced himself from Umno while still being within the BN umbrella. It means the people know they are lying.

“Abang Johari is vice-chairman of BN. So is SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian. It means that people don’t believe their rhetoric anymore.”

Chin added Sarawak nationalism could not overcome “the perception that they’re Umno lackies,” he said.

Chin said the voter disgruntlement was not just about GST or rising living costs: “There has been a slide in popular vote since 2008. It’s just that people now found (Prime Minister) Najib Razak’s perceived corruption to be too much.

He added that “whether you like it or not, older people supported Dr Mahathir Mohamad.  

“They now look at Najib as a little boy. In his final speech, Dr Mahathir appealed to the Malay dignity whereas Najib appeared desparate, offering bribes. Najib’s speech was not about vision. It was about gifts,” he said. – May 9, 2018.