‘Bruised, but not beaten’

Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud takes the oath as Chief Minister at 10.30PM tonight in front of the Sarawak Governor. In an earlier statement, Taib disclosed that he was prepared to step down from the Chief Minister's post,

adding that his involvement in the latest state election would also be his last.

BN wins the 10th state election, but not without a fierce fight from opposition

KUCHING: In one of the most 'discussed' elections of the past three decades, the National Front (Barisan Nasional or BN) defended its two-thirds majority by securing 55 seats with a total of 372,379 votes, in the 10th Sarawak State Election where 71 seats were contested.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in a video conference with Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, said the victory was very meaningful and indicative of the people's high confidence in BN.

"There have been big majority or increased majority wins in several constituencies. With this, what we need to do is to give a lot of thanks to the people of Sarawak for retaining their support and trust in BN," the Prime Minister stated.

Nonetheless, the BN victory has not been gained without a fierce fight from the opposition throughout the 10-day campaigning period. Moreover, polls results have shown that the opposition managed to make inroads into what have traditionally been BN strongholds: notably Piasau, where Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Tan Sri Dr George Chan was defeated in a straight fight by Democratic Action Party (DAP) newcomer Ling Sie Kiong. The former polled 4,408 votes while Ling had 5,998.

Apart from Piasau, the DAP – which dominated Chinese-majority areas – had taken nine other seats; Pending, Bukit Assek, Pujut, Padungan, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawah, Repok, Meradong and Pelawan.

Additionally, Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) bagged three seats namely Ba Kelalan, Batu Lintang and Krian. Meanwhile, Independent candidate George Lagong won the Pelagus seat.

Shortly after BN victory, Taib – the state's BN chief – sworn in as Chief Minister at the Astana before the head of state Governor Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng in a simple ceremony. The 10th state election also marked Taib's eighth term as Chief Minister since his first appointment in 1981.

Taib, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, also retained his Balingian state seat with a comfortable majority of 5,154 votes; in a three-cornered fight against Independent Datuk Salleh Jafaruddin and PKR's debutante Suriati Abdullah. – BPOnline