Mahathir's visit to Sarawak will have some effects on the fence-sitters, says CCJ

KUCHING, September 21, 2017 - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit to Sarawak this weekend will have some effects among the fence-sitters and former supporters of the Barisan Nasional, PH Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen claimed today.

Chong Chieng Jen with PH information chief Vernon Aji Kedit and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong

Dr Mahathir, who is PH chairman, is due to arrive here on Sunday  for a political gathering at Taman BDC township later in the evening.

"I am sure that it will not be just the fence-sitters, but also the former BN supporters will switch support to PH," Chong told a press conference called to announce the visit of the former prime minister to Sarawak.

He said there must be something very wrong with the BN government under Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Razak that former Umno leaders and supporters have left the BN to support PH.

He said since the 13th general election in 2013, the cost of living has gone up, rampant cases of corruption have remained and for the business community, it has suffered losses.

Apart from Dr Mahathir, other PH leaders to speak at the political gathering will include DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Federal Territory Parti Amanah Negara chief Dr Hatta Ramli.

The visit will be the first by Dr Mahathir to Sarawak in his capacity as PH chairman.

He had visited Sarawak many times when he was the prime minister for 22 years.

Chong, who is also DAP Sarawak chairman, said he is confident that PH will win at least four extra seats in the 14th general election (GE14).

"I can only say that these seats are in the rural and semi-urban areas," he said, declining to name the four seats.

Presently, PH has six parliamentary seats, namely Bandar Kuching, Stampin,Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri.

Asked if the "political tremor" of the last state election would influence the pattern of voting in the GE14, Chong said it is unlikely to happen.

"The state and federal elections have different considerations (for the voters). First there is no more the Adenan effect that influenced the voters to support the Barisan while the Abang Johari effect is is a far cry from the Adenan effect," he said.

"Adenan represents hope while Abang Johari is a great disappointment to Sarawak," he said.

In the 2016 state election, the state BN under Tan Sri Adenan Satem won 72 out of 82 seats in the Sarawak assembly.