‘BN underestimating political current’

Syed Jamal Zahiid

PAS is of the opinion that Barisan Nasional's inability to understand Sarawakians' feeling on the importance of a succession plan will be the coalition's downfall.

KUCHING: An overconfident Barisan Nasional appears to be unaware of the growing current of change in Sarawak and they will pay the price, said PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali today.

“BN is underestimating the rising current of revolt,” he told a press conference at the party’s headquarters here.

The lukewarm manner in dealing with the succession plan for Sarawak’s top leadership was a sign that BN was taking the anti-Taib Mahmud sentiment among the voters lightly.

Taib, the chief minister of more than 30 years, previously said he would step down after putting in a young team of successors, which could be in the mid-term after the April 16 polls.

But he gave no definite timeline as to what he claimed would be a “smooth transition plan”, triggering waves of speculation that the move was merely an election gimmick.

‘Taib’s a liability’

Compounding this further was his announcement that he would defend his Balingian seat.

“They look like they’re not serious,” Mustafa said.

However, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak himself promised Sarawakians that Taib would step down.

His pledge confirmed speculation that Putrajaya viewed Taib as a liability to BN’s ambition to maintain the state as its “fixed deposit.”

The promise was made at the ruling coalition’s event here last night, which kicked off Najib’s six-day campaign in the runup to the election.

Mustafa echoed the opposition chorus that Najib’s presence signalled BN’s desperation.

According to the PAS leader, “Proof of this is everywhere.”

The Islamist party have fielded five candidates in Malay and Dayak majority areas and responses have been very encouraging, said Mustafa further.

“From the 2001 to the 2006 elections up until now, we can see a tremendous change in the response of the voters towards us,” he said.

According to Mustafa, two factors had contributed to this.

One was the rising anti-Taib sentiment and the second was the growing confidence towards a now united opposition.

But he warned against complacency and overconfidence on the part of his party. “I can see some of the local leaders and machinery being overconfident about our chances. I urge them not to be,” he said