April 10, 2011
PM Najib in Sarawak as Winds of Change threaten Taib Mahmud’s Regime
by Andrew Ong@http://www.malaysiakini.com
In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be embarking on a rare tour of Sarawak beginning tonight, the fifth day of campaigning, until the eve of polling.
Soon after Najib Razak‘s six-day schedule was confirmed, there is speculation that the BN national leadership is ringing alarm bells on the status of its Sarawak campaign, now at the half-way mark.
Najib is likely to be the first Prime Minister to actively campaign in a state election in recent years, a duty usually left to the Premier’s Deputy. Since taking reins of power in April 2009, Najib had only played a minor role in the numerous by-elections that had taken place and his current tour is a surprise move. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Najib had visited the state twice this year – once on March 19 where he attended rally in Serian and on April 7 when he conducted several walkabouts in Kuching.
Focus on the ‘Black Areas’
This time round, Najib will be visiting all three major cities – Miri, Sibu and Kuching – that has saw unprecedented numbers attending opposition rallies over the past few nights. These are considered ‘black areas’ by BN where component party Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is most at risk.
Najib will also be visiting smaller towns such as Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Engkilili, 
Sebuyau, Sadong Jaya, Bau, Bario, Sungai Baram, Lawas and Limbang. At a glance, the premier appears to be touching base with all ethnic communities in the state and will also be meeting those in rural areas, long been considered BN’s “fixed deposit”.
As with previous by-elections, the premier’s itinerary hints that there appears to be some goodies in store for Sarawakians.
Anwar is in town too
Tomorrow, Najib will visit the Sri Aman Hospital, built before Sarawak’s independence, which is now in a highly dilapidated state and in dire need of an upgrade. On Thursday, he will head over to Sungai Baram, near the site of the controversial Bakun Dam, where he is expected to launch the ‘1Malaysia floating clinic’.
Malaysian Sarawakians, Vote Wisely and Vote for Change on April 16, 2011
Najib is also scheduled to attend two mass rallies tonight and tomorrow, both in Kuching, where he is expected to make a major announcement to soothe urban discontent with BN.
Today also marks PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim‘s second campaign blitz through Kuching and its surrounding areas.
Anwar, who has been in Sarawak since nominations last Wednesday, will be speaking at Asajaya, Kuching, Kampung Samariang and Petrajaya. The next day, he will be lending PAS colleagues a hand in Muara Tuang, before speaking at PKR events in Bengoh, Batu Lintang, Tupong, Demak Laut and Satok.
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
The right to govern Sarawak must now return to the Dayaks. Remember Tawi Sli and Stephen Kalong Ningkan. –Din Merican
The current UMNO led government has been on a campaign mode since PM Najib took over the reins. It has been seriously distracted and state resource are being spent with one goal in mind i.e. to win elections for UMNO-BN.
Who is minding the store in the mean time? Who is taking care of the people’s business?
Everybody seems preoccupied with finding ways to put his hand in the cookie jar.
Dato Din, I am beginning to think 2/3rd majority is no more a possibility for BN. I even think they may lose the who state unless SNAP lompat over… which is highly possible in Sarawak/Sabah elections…
As these so-called people’s representatives descend on Sarawak, there is no doubt in the next week we (foreigners especially) will be treated to snippets of Sarawak, so-called land of the fast disappearing hornbills i.e. names of hitherto unheard of outposts and riverine communities. Money would change hands for services rendered and then when the dust settles life returns to normal to await the next cycle of elections.
What winds of change are you guys talking about? The only wind you guys gonna hear is when a people’s representative breaks wind after a sumptuous dinner thrown in his favor.
I’ve chilled several cans of beer should the inevitable happen, Sentinel. You can join me and friends for a booze after the results are out. See ya…
By fair or foul means, UMNO-BN will take Sarawak on April 16, 2011. That is the saddest part of Malaysian politics. There is a caveat to that: the dayaks will be critical to this elections. Don’t forget the kataks in SNAP who will take money and position. Cynical? Yes, but the politics of our country make a cynic out of me.
I am going fishing in the sawahs around Bukit Mertajam and Permatang Pauh. In meantime, I hope Rory McIlroy wins the 75th US Masters. Sorry, Tok Cik, Woods will not have the chance.
Tok Cik
Ask Bean to share with you the “tools to test the right temperature for chilling beer” He’s applied it to his wateringole.
Yes, after the victory parade you guys can stop at my http://www.wateringole.blogspot.com
and meet my Emmie.
My watering hole long under renovation will be re-named ‘Banana Sucks’.
To all my Sarawakian friends – On March 16, go for the jugular. You decide your future. 30 years under Taib Mahmud is long enough for you to assess if you had enough of the political and economic follies that were dished out or if you wish for more of the same. Najib’s 6 day visit will not alter the course of Sarawak’s future but you all will make the difference to decide a better tomorrow and a better future. The future is in your hands.
My bet (a small vice, i assure you) is PR winning with a simple majority. Something to do with the Roh Kudus, though many will deride Him at their own peril. When the Dayak-Iban, Foochow-Hakka-Hokkien smile and refuse to answer outright probings of the secular sort by MI & SB – this will have informed head-honchos asap.
It is therefore expedient that the ass-wipes of Umno-BN, return to the Semananjung – before more gaffes like “I help you, you help me.. Can or not?” are uttered. The mighty Rejang has turned red, and they will start exterminating locusts soon. Tok Cik, I’ll settle for tuak! Going native you see..
__________
CLF, you have not factored in Najib’s entry into the next phase of the campaign. It could change the picture in the next few remaining days to April 16, 2011.–Din Merican
Plus, the Yang Dipertua of Sarawak
CLF,
Yeah, the power of Roh Kudus. The impossible would always happen
Actually, i have Datuk.
My sources (though far from ideal), say that Najib’s presence will not deter the them from voting differently. Yes their fixed (faked) smiles and nods remain and they will patiently sit and yawn through Jibbo’s rantings like the one mentioned above.. They are not the fools most make them out to be – who can’t distinguish right from wrong. Theirs and our Allah – is paramount and inviolable. The evil BN nexus have lied and manipulated for far too long.
It’s time for a local song….Oops! It’s from Singapura
Enough of tuak and mentakok for me, CLF. Four cans of beer going for RM12 in Kuching. Not a bad deal.
If PR wins more seats I’ll rejoice. If not, I’ll just drown my sorrow in the liquid. Either way, my beers are done.
Just like you, my kakis in Kuching, Sibu and Sarikei say that Opposition chances are good. Have to listen to them since all are the close-to-the-rakyat type.
My beers need no cold-testing, semper fi. Once the rings are pulled, cold or no cold, it’s “down the hatch” all the way.
What’s happening in Sarikei? Can’t seem to get those chaps, Tok. Seems too quiet..
One of my old Iban varsity mates was an Ind. MP thereabouts (Lubok Antu, i think) sometime last century. Threatened and throttled. Not even a pipsqueak after that.
My kakis are still active, CLF. They predicted it right during the last Sibu parliamentary by-election. I take their words.
Beware of Najib “Lu Tolong Wa, Wa tolong Lu” campaign in Sarawak. The war is not over yet till fat Mama Rosie Chot sings.
With all this beer, tuak and licking beer off Sharizat’s teats talk it reminds me of one particular scene yesterday.
Most dignitaries, after handing trophies to the F1 Grand Prix winners on their podium would hastily make their exit from the scene. But not for Jibby & Co it seems. There he was standing stiff to attention in the midst of it all almost to the very last second before the champagne oozed out.
I thought this man was on a mission… cancelled Cabinet meeting just to camp with Fixed Deposit but there he was tongue hanging out waiting for the smell of champagne. Hhmm…no chance to lick that off errr… what’s her name’s t..t???