Taib - the reason for SUPP's disastrous outing
Tony ThienPublished: May 26, 2006 4:01 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was the main reason why Chinese voters had rejected six SUPP candidates, according to a Kuching-based corporate leader with close links to Chinese associations.
Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was the main reason why Chinese voters had rejected six SUPP candidates, according to a Kuching-based corporate leader with close links to Chinese associations.
"Barisan Nasional (BN) and SUPP leaders and the local media have highlighted many issues, including the renewal of land leases (for the defeat)," he said.
However, he added that they left out the most important issue for the defeat - Taib.
The businessman, who asked not to be identified, telephoned malaysiakini to express his disappointment with the analyses in the local media on why SUPP was dealt a lethal blow by the opposition, namely DAP.
"Generally, the people are supportive of the BN. They know the BN government had brought progress and development and would like the BN to continue as the government," he said.
"But they cannot accept that one man has been allowed to hold so much power and the corruptive influences if unchecked will do more damage to Sarawak and its people," he added.
The corporate leader said the business community at large was beginning to question why there were so few foreign direct investments coming into Sarawak.
He said this had something to do with the fact that the planning approval authority in Sarawak was concentrated in the hands of only one or two persons.
Signs ignored
Meanwhile, a professional involved in the real estate business said the signs were there but SUPP leaders chose to ignore them.
SUPP president Dr George Chan had blamed betting for the party's dismal performance while one of the vice-presidents Peter Chin attributed it to the wrong choice of candidates.
Local media analyses said the contributing factors were SUPP's failure to allay fears over the renewal of expiring land leases coupled with hefty premium rates, the hike in fuel prices, unsatisfactory state and infrastructure facilities.
DAP's decision to field young candidates was also cited as one of the reasons.
During the campaign, the opposition party chided SUPP for its ineffectiveness in speaking out for the community apart from raising the issues of corruption and cronyism, especially regarding the chief minister.
"Barisan Nasional (BN) and SUPP leaders and the local media have highlighted many issues, including the renewal of land leases (for the defeat)," he said. However, he added that they left out the most important issue for the defeat - Taib.
The businessman, who asked not to be identified, telephoned malaysiakini to express his disappointment with the analyses in the local media on why SUPP was dealt a lethal blow by the opposition, namely DAP.
"Generally, the people are supportive of the BN. They know the BN government had brought progress and development and would like the BN to continue as the government," he said.
"But they cannot accept that one man has been allowed to hold so much power and the corruptive influences if unchecked will do more damage to Sarawak and its people," he added.
The corporate leader said the business community at large was beginning to question why there were so few foreign direct investments coming into Sarawak.
He said this had something to do with the fact that the planning approval authority in Sarawak was concentrated in the hands of only one or two persons.
Signs ignored
Meanwhile, a professional involved in the real estate business said the signs were there but SUPP leaders chose to ignore them.
SUPP president Dr George Chan had blamed betting for the party's dismal performance while one of the vice-presidents Peter Chin attributed it to the wrong choice of candidates.
Local media analyses said the contributing factors were SUPP's failure to allay fears over the renewal of expiring land leases coupled with hefty premium rates, the hike in fuel prices, unsatisfactory state and infrastructure facilities.
DAP's decision to field young candidates was also cited as one of the reasons.
During the campaign, the opposition party chided SUPP for its ineffectiveness in speaking out for the community apart from raising the issues of corruption and cronyism, especially regarding the chief minister.
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