Sarawak Chooses #TeamAdenan

72 out of 82 seats. That’s a whole lot of seats. The opposition however conceded to three and seven seats by PKR and DAP respectively. Our national party has held its iron grasp over our eastern brethren since the beginning of time and it’s going to stay that way for the next five years – at least. For now, Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Haji Adenan bin Satem resumes his role as the Chief Minister of Sarawak and this was how he won (more or less, maybe):

Opposition Opposing Each Other

It's like if the SPCA took on the WWF. Because reasons. Image: aidcnews.wordpress.com

The opposition did what they do best – oppose. Only this time, they put their efforts into opposing each other instead. Of the six constituencies in which they opposed each other, 100% of those constituencies went to Barisan instead. Not sure what they expected to happen there.

The Adenan Effect

*Mic drop* Image: The Ant Daily

He’s seen as the moderate voice for change by Sarawakians, funding independent Chinese schools, allowing the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims, pushing for Sarawakians’ autonomy, and even attempting to abolish highway tolls, reduce electric tarrifs and reduce ferry fares. Through incremental improvements to the people of Sarawak, Tan Sri Adenan made huge improvements to the image of Barisan Nasional in East Malaysia.

Low Voter Turn out

Voting reportedly closed as early as 12pm in rural areas. Image: channelnewsasia.com

Only 52% of voters turned up. Meaning 532,701.6 people stayed at home instead of exercising their right to choose. The figure by the EC changed from 52% at 4pm to 70.01% after 12am. One hour after voting closed at 5pm. We’re not exactly sure what the jump means for the votes, or how they managed to account for 331,828.7 people in one hour before closing. Voter turn outs were at 70% in 2011 and 61.89% in 2006.

The 1MDB rhetoric didn’t matter

"Yeah, okay. Now can I have clean water and electric?"

The opposition hammered home the fact that a lot of money was missing but the people just weren’t feeling it. To Sarawakians, the 1MDB scandal was just another case of first world problems. When compared to the achievements of Chief Minister Adenan Satem, the problem with 1MDB seemed to voters like a problem of West Malaysia, not the country as a whole.