In Sarawak, if you are not with the BN in your association or support, you are perceived as against the Government. That’s to the folks mean you are against the Police, The Army, the Resident, the District officer, the teachers and all the Government offices and officers. You will be seen as a rebel without a cause. The politicians will fully take advantage of the situation and the folks buy it wholly and fooly! The perception is confirmed right in front of their eyes come election time when these civil servants are seen with the politicians during campaigning and distributing MRPs and grants. "Anang ngelaban perintah" (" dont fight the Government") , said the politician. Sounds familiar? If you are not with the Government you will not get development, grants and all the hand-outs. And, if you are the headmen, councilors, penghulus etc.. you'd better be supporting the Government otherwise all these posts will be taken away from you.. ring a bell? That’s the front line defense that the politicians will use in rural Sarawak since the BN ruled the State.
Take for example, in the Parliamentary seat of Betong, covering the State (ADUN) seats of Layar, Bukit Saban and Saribas, where Douglas Uggah, the MP, and ADUNs Alfred Jabu, Dr Wahbi and Chuat are the current legislators, these distinguished politicians are THE GOVERNMENT, undisputedly simple and final! They will not be able to comprehend the roles of these Ybs and the Government.
p/s: To the opposition who wants to take over the State, your first primary task is really to explain to the folks in the rural areas the perception that lingers in their mind.This is nothing new but so far no real effort has been done by the wannabes of the power -to -be to confront the perception head-on, election after election.
BY: Borneo Warrior
