MIRI: Many are already calling the Bukit Sari contest in tomorrow's 12th Sarawak election a foregone conclusion, and with good reason.
It is the seat that the incumbent from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali has held for seven terms after all, including when the constituency was known as Lawas.
His challengers this time around, Alias Mail from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Riyah Basrah of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), besides being new faces and uniformed body retirees, are not expected to put up any fight.
The talk is that PSB and PBK merely wanted to ensure Awang Tengah does not win the seat uncontested, as what happened in 1996 and 2016.
Awang Tengah who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president, won in Lawas from 1997 to 2001, and Bukit Sari from 2006 to 2016.
Based on his political heavyweight status, and long-serving track record, he is the runaway favourite to serve the constituency for an eighth term.
Universiti Malaya (UM) political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said PSB and PBK will find it an uphill task to woo the Bukit Sari electorate, who have been comfortable with Awang Tengah as their elected representative for over two decades.
With strong grassroots support and a very good service track record, new candidates have almost no chance of dethroning him, he said.
"Awang Tengah has vast experience as the deputy chief minister and a senior minister in managing foreign direct investments (FDI), propelling Sarawak as the state with the second-highest FDI after Selangor.
"Both PBK and PBS' move in fielding underdog candidates is seen as a mere formality to stop Awang Tengah from winning unopposed," he told Bernama.
However, he also pointed out that the three-cornered contest is still considered a healthy political development and was good for democracy, besides giving the electorate in Bukit Sari options as to who should serve them.
Awang Azman said the old against new candidate factor must not be ignored either in the context of ideas, mindset, direction and new strategies for the constituency.
"This will be considered by the voters, not only for the new faces but also for the seasoned ones. However, based on the ground reading for Bukit Sari, we predict that the results will be in favour of Awang Tengah," he said.
A study by the UM Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and a local media agency from Nov 20-27 (Phase one) and Dec 8-14 (Phase two), involving 4,500 respondents throughout Sarawak, among others, found that overall, the people of Sarawak are satisfied with how the country and Sarawak is managed by the Federal and the GPS governments respectively.
A total of 12,935 constituents are eligible to vote in Bukit Sari tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Dec 17 2021
Awang Tengah who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president, won in Lawas from 1997 to 2001, and Bukit Sari from 2006 to 2016. - AWANI
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.