BTG AI BY-ELECTION: WHY WAS PKR DEFEATED?

Dayaks not ready to abandon BN

Theories are many attributing to the failure. But obviously, one of the main factors is that Dayaks are not ready to abandon the State Barisan Nasional, even although many of its policies are against their interests. Truthfully, many have indeed benefited from the BN polices. For example in this by-election, there are a number of instant “noodle” projects, the promises to look into their problems, to tar-seal their roads and to provide various health and recreational amenities as well as the financial assistance.Being simple-minded and trusting the BN to fulfill its promises, they therefore voted for the BN candidate.

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Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com

Riggings in the last by-election rampant: MAFREL

MAFREL said: Riggings in the last by-election were rampant and sad to say that the words "CLEAN, FAIR & FREE ELECTION did not exist in Batang Ai by-election vocabulary.

MAFREL (Batang Ai) had reached a conclusion that Batang Ai by-election is where politic is at its worst. It’s here that money politics rear its ugly head. By all accounts I dared says that Batang Ai by-election is the dirtiest, most unfair & expensive in Malaysian election history.

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Shafie Apdal in Batang Ai, Sarawak

That's How it is: Mussen (left in blue shirt), accompanying UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (behing the Iban dancer in full traditional costume), joining in the Iban traditional ngajat on arrival at Rumah Endawie for 'Semerak Nersam Pemimpin' programe.

Malcolm Mussen won the BatangAi By-election on 7th April, 2009 with a majority of 1,854 votes against PKR's Jawah Garang's votes of 2,053.

The Results at a glance.

Results at a Glance.

Triple by election ... The people have spoken.

Triple by election.. The people have spoken

07/04/2009 by drrafick

When I saw the first result of Batang Ai by election on Malaysiakini, I was not least surprise. I had predicted it all along. It would be a total surprise if BN had lost. I am not surprise because Sarawak is a state where the wealth and power is in the hand of the Chief Minister.

From what has been reported by MAFREL, government machineries are heavily used. In this “buy election” fear and favour would likely to have been used. I would be surprised if there is no evidence of intimidation or ballot boxes being swapped while in transit. The Sarawak BN probably has used the service of “Houdini” and David Copperfield.

On a personal level, I am duly satisfied that my earlier prediction and mathematical modeling has proven to be right.

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Malaysia by-elections: Opposition Victory Call?

An obscure by-election in a sleepy East Malaysia town is a harbinger .

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EC decision on Batang Ai ballots sparks protests

Monday April 6, 2009  By JACK WONG

LUBOK ANTU: The Election Commission’s decision not to count the ballots at 14 of the 26 polling stations in the Batang Ai constituency after the by-election tomorrow has drawn strong objections from election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Malfrel) and PKR.

The ballot boxes from the 14 stations will be transferred to the vote-tallying centre at the Lubok Antu Sports Complex where the ballots would be counted.

Malfrel and PKR have lodged separate protests with the commission, appealing for a review of the decision.

Alternatively, they have asked the commission to allow Malfrel officials or PKR agents to escort the commission officials to the tallying centre.

The 14 stations are Kesit, Engkari, Delok, Kumpang, Klampu. Sayat, Jela, Sempang, Bertik, Kachong, Patoh, Bilararap, Sepaya and Gugu.

Malfrel chief co-ordinator Peter John Jaban questioned why the commission decided not to count all the ballots at the polling stations.

He said returning officer Nelson Mujah had said that this was the practice in past elections.

He said the commission had denied Malfrel access to the counting centres.

PKR coordinator for the by-election Dominique Ng Kim Ho said the commission had given “logistic and weather considerations” as reasons why the ballot boxes had to be brought to the tallying centre.

Ng, who is also Padungan assemblyman, claimed that most of the 14 polling stations, which have a total of 3,312 registered voters, were located in opposition strongholds. 

Courtesy from StarOnLine

Watch for "Live" coverage on Batang Ai By-election here.

Of the three showdowns, Batang Ai is the most critical.

Batang Ai has long been a BN seat. Although the BN candidate is a local unknown, he has the massive BN machinery to help him win. The PR candidate is a popular five-term former BN MP who, after being dropped by the BN in 2008 given local party conflicts, has since moved his politics and his longhouse into PR. Campaigning together with the popular Batang Ai PKR division chief, they collectively pose a clear and present electoral danger to the BN.

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