PAKATAN Harapan and two independent candidates have won 12 of 31 parliamentary seats, an unprecedented achievement in a state known as a Barisan Nasional fixed deposit.

PH held on to its six urban seats – Bandar Kuching (DAP), Stampin (DAP), Sarikei (DAP), Sibu (DAP), Lanang (DAP) and Miri (PKR) – and captured four rural seats – Selangau (PKR), Puncak Borneo (PKR), Saratok (PKR) and Mas Gading (DAP).

The two rural seats of Lubok Antu and Julau went to independent candidates.

Sarawak has 31 parliamentary constituencies, 23 of which are rural or semi-rural. Sarawak BN has never lost a rural parliamentary seat to the opposition.

Sarawak Pakatan Harapan leader and state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen contested and won Stampin, beating Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian with a majority of 14,221 votes.

In Selangau, state PKR leader Baru Bian beat Rita Sarimah of Dayak state BN component Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) with a majority of 486 votes.

Larry Sng, a former state cabinet assistant minister and the son of Kapit tycoon Sng Chee Hua, won Julau as an independent after PKR gave way for a straight fight. Sng beat PRS secretary-general Joseph Salang Gandum with a 1,931 majority.

Jugah Muyang, who is former PRS Pujut division chief, won Lubok Antu with a majority of 1,059 votes, defeating PRS candidate Robert Pasang Alam and Nicholas Bawin Anggat of PKR in a three-cornered fight.

First-time DAP candidate Dr Kelvin Yii won the Bandar Kuching with a majority of 35,973 votes. Bandar Kuching is formerly Chong’s seat. – May 9, 2018.