SIBU: For many folk here, the Sibu parliamentary constituency by-election has offered them a chance of a lifetime to meet face-to-face Malaysia’s leading politicians.
Crowds were in awe of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his delegation of federal ministers, many of whom have never been to this riverine township, to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his team of eloquent orators.
At a ceramah in Jalan Lanang here last night, a pensioner who preferred to be called Alan, sat entranced as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng regaled the crowd with his candid, humour-filled speech on “Malaysia’s wealth and the BN buayas”.
“I cannot believe this… I have lived in Sibu for 30 years. This is the first time this town has seen so many leaders, especially the opposition leaders up close.
“This is a good thing,” said Alan, 56, before walking across from his space on the roadside culvert for that once-in-lifetime photograph with his “star”.
Returning to his seat, Alan said this was the first time there were so many people at an opposition ceramah.
“Usually there are only a few people when the opposition leaders conduct their ceramah, but this election is different. More people are coming out to listen to them.
“They seem to be more curious about Pakatan Rakyat,” he said, again asking to be excused as he made a beeline for a picture and chat with Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.
Ibans campaigning for Pakatan
Having had his fill, Alan went on to say that rumours are rife that a small group of Ibans were now campaigning for Pakatan in the longhouses.
“I don’t know if this is true.. but I heard that there have been changes in the longhouses too. A group of Ibans are campaigning for Pakatan. This is a very good sign.
“The opposition needs support from the Iban community,” he said, alluding to the constituency’s 23% Dayak community, comprising the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulus.
The BN has touted the Dayaks and the Malay/Melanaus who make up just over 10% of Sibu’s 54,695 voters, as their “fixed deposit”.
Both the communities have, in the past, placed their loyalty with the BN, and ensured a victory.
But the mood is changing, albeit not as fast as it should be, according to another civil servant Joseph who was patiently waiting for his favourite celebrity – former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.
“I’m glad I came. I want to see Zaid and get him to autograph his book. I heard he is in town. I hope he will be here tonight,” quipped a thrilled Joseph.
Lots of curiousity about PR
Armed with Zaid’s book “I too am Malay”, Joseph, a teacher, agreed with Alan that there was a shift in perception towards Pakatan.
“Everyone knows DAP here and Anwar’s PKR. As for PAS, we are only beginning to get acquainted with.
“There is definitely lots of curiosity about the coalition now,” he said, adding that it was unfair that the opposition speakers had to conduct their ceramah by the roadside.
Joseph was referring to DAP speakers who had earlier been booted out of the Catholic High School and were now orating from the back of a jeep along the Jalan Lanang roadside.
“These are elected parliamentarians. They deserve respect, it does not matter that they are from the opposition,” he said.
When Zaid eventually took to the microphone, he had the crowd in stitches when he said: “Before I was with the BN and the ceramah was in a nice hall. I’m in the opposition now, so must talk from the back of a truck. This is my first time standing on the back of a truck.
“It’s a tough life in the opposition but never mind, just remember to vote for us on Sunday. We need more opposition members in Parliament to keep the government in check,” he said.
