KUCHING: DAP celebrated its smashing victory tonight with a toast to the new voice of Sarawak that saw the party doubling its seats in the 10th state election.
DAP national chairman, Karpal Singh, hailed the day as a historic one and thanked Sarawakians for giving DAP a “100% success”.
“Let us see now if Prime Minister (Najib Tun Razak) calls for a general election soon,” he smiled during a packed press conference.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this is just a preview of the coming attractions. I hope that the example shown here will be followed in the next general election.”
Karpal pointed out that Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud now had to deal with a lot more on his hands.
“The strong presence of the new Pakatan Rakyat state leadership would push Taib to change his ways,” he said. “But change will not happen until he steps down. And we will continue pushing forward until Pakatan takes over the Sarawak government.”
Taib’s biggest defeat
DAP adviser, Lim Kit Siang, meanwhile said that while they were disappointed at failing to deny BN a two-thirds majority, it didn’t distract them from the fact that there are now 15 opposition assemblymen in the state government.
“This is the largest opposition group that Taib has to face and it is his greatest defeat in his 30 years” he said. “This is a kenyalang (hornbill) revolution.”
“It is a political awakening of Sarawakians of all ethnic groups. It may not be reflected in the represented seats but it is present in the number of votes cast.”
Kit Siang also said that he agreed with Umno Youth chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, who said that BN had suffered its greatest loss in Sarawak.
“Putrajaya must face the facts,” he said. “This is the truth and the political reality. And at the national level, this is also a setback for Najib. Sarawak is no longer BN’s fixed deposit.”
Largest win in DAP history, DAP secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, emphasised that this was the largest number of seats won in DAP’s history and that a new dawn had begun for Sarawak.
“The people have shown that they want an end to a one-party, one-man rule and are ready for a two- party system and a people’s rule,” he said. “The number of votes we won is more than the 2006 state election and even the 2008 general election.”
“I hope that Najib will heed this message by asking Taib to step down now and not in two years. This is an exciting journey for Sarawakians because it’s only a new dawn and not yet a new day.”
Chong Chieng Jen, who defended his Kota Sentosa seat, declared that this was the day that Sarawakians had chosen between corruption and good governance.
“The people have clearly told Taib that they have had enough of BN’s corrupt system,” he said. “Sarawakians have displayed their political maturity.”
“The newly elected assemblymen promise that they will continue speaking up for all Sarawakians and that no community’s voice will be overlooked.”
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