'Taib will be powerful for as long as he lives'
Nigel AwPublished: Feb 12, 2014 6:00 AM | Updated: Feb 12, 2014 7:34 AM
With the looming departure of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, BN partners in Sarawak will likely look for a glimmer of hope in reviving its political fortunes in urban centres which largely comprise of the Chinese community.
With the looming departure of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, BN partners in Sarawak will likely look for a glimmer of hope in reviving its political fortunes in urban centres which largely comprise of the Chinese community.
Taib's unpopularity among the Chinese community, which describes the 77-year-old as "Pek Moh" (white hair), has been a lightning rod for Sarawak BN and helped hardened anti-establishment sentiment against the ruling coalition.
But if the man in the street of Kuching is any indication, the community appears apathetic about the transition of power.
"How would I know," said a guarded taxi driver in Kuching when asked on his thoughts on Taib's departure.
But when pointed out that this reporter is from Kuala Lumpur - an outsider - Boon lightened up and after a long pause, said: "It's about time, he has been in power for 33 years and he has makan (gained) a lot".
Boon who, only wanted to be known by his surname, said Taib's succession was a PBB affair with little bearing on his community.
'Things will remain the same'
Another taxi driver, Kuek similarly cited Taib's alleged corruption scandals in being glad to see him go. "Have you seen his house?" he asked.
Likewise, he was apathetic about the transition.
"Whoever takes over, they will not dare change Taib's policies, so it will remain the same," he said.
The three candidates named are PBB deputy president Abang Johari Openg (left), PBB senior vice president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and PBB information chief Adenan Satem.
A teacher who only wanted to be known as CK attributed this apathy to people being mindful that Taib's power no longer comes from his position.
He pointed to the fact that Taib and his family has a stake in virtually every aspect of business and infrastructure in the state after almost 33 years in power.
"It doesn't matter if the is chief minister or the governor. So long as he is alive, he will control Sarawak.
"The roads are built by CMS, houses are built by Naim, Taib is even the pro-chancellor of a university here," he said.
CMS or Cahya Mata Sarawak and Naim Holdings are linked to Taib's family and have benefited billions in government contracts.
As such, CK said it was unlikely that Taib's departure would change the anti-establishment stance of of the Chinese community in Sarawak.
"The people's dislike of Taib helped foster the anti-BN sentiment and now it would be very difficult to reverse that even if there is no more Taib," he said.
The biggest casualty from this anti-establishment sentiment has been the SUPP.
The party saw its state seats halved from 12 to 6 in the 2011 state election and succeeded in retaining only one of its six parliamentary seats in the 2013 general election.
Sarawak BN is comprised of PBB, PRS, SPDP and SUPP.
Taib's unpopularity among the Chinese community, which describes the 77-year-old as "Pek Moh" (white hair), has been a lightning rod for Sarawak BN and helped hardened anti-establishment sentiment against the ruling coalition.But if the man in the street of Kuching is any indication, the community appears apathetic about the transition of power.
"How would I know," said a guarded taxi driver in Kuching when asked on his thoughts on Taib's departure.
But when pointed out that this reporter is from Kuala Lumpur - an outsider - Boon lightened up and after a long pause, said: "It's about time, he has been in power for 33 years and he has makan (gained) a lot".
Boon who, only wanted to be known by his surname, said Taib's succession was a PBB affair with little bearing on his community.
'Things will remain the same'
Another taxi driver, Kuek similarly cited Taib's alleged corruption scandals in being glad to see him go. "Have you seen his house?" he asked.
Likewise, he was apathetic about the transition."Whoever takes over, they will not dare change Taib's policies, so it will remain the same," he said.
The three candidates named are PBB deputy president Abang Johari Openg (left), PBB senior vice president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and PBB information chief Adenan Satem.
A teacher who only wanted to be known as CK attributed this apathy to people being mindful that Taib's power no longer comes from his position.
He pointed to the fact that Taib and his family has a stake in virtually every aspect of business and infrastructure in the state after almost 33 years in power.
"It doesn't matter if the is chief minister or the governor. So long as he is alive, he will control Sarawak.
"The roads are built by CMS, houses are built by Naim, Taib is even the pro-chancellor of a university here," he said.CMS or Cahya Mata Sarawak and Naim Holdings are linked to Taib's family and have benefited billions in government contracts.
As such, CK said it was unlikely that Taib's departure would change the anti-establishment stance of of the Chinese community in Sarawak.
"The people's dislike of Taib helped foster the anti-BN sentiment and now it would be very difficult to reverse that even if there is no more Taib," he said.
The biggest casualty from this anti-establishment sentiment has been the SUPP.
The party saw its state seats halved from 12 to 6 in the 2011 state election and succeeded in retaining only one of its six parliamentary seats in the 2013 general election.
Sarawak BN is comprised of PBB, PRS, SPDP and SUPP.
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