By Simon
Peter
KUCHING,
April 6, 2018 - Incumbent Tan Sri William Mawan's hope of defending Saratok in
the upcoming GE14 is dashed after Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari
Openg confirmed that the parliamentary seat has been allocated to Progressive
Democratic Party (PDP).
Saratok given to PDP's nominee, not Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, former SPDP president.
He said
today the issue on Saratok seat has been settled by the Barisan Nasional
leadership.
Asked if
Sararok has been allocated to PDP, the chief minister replied:"Yes,
yes."
Mawan,
former president of PDP (formerly known as Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party
(SPDP), has been lobbying hard for the seat, bringing thousands of people to
his gatherings in Saratok.
The
latest was when "about 2000" people came to show their support for
him to stand again in Saratok.
In the
2013 general election, Mawan won with a majority of 2081 votes when he obtained
11,600 votes against 9519 secured by Ali Biju of PKR.
Most of
the votes for Mawan came from Kalaka while Ali won more votes from Krian.
Out
of 27, 562 registered voters in Saratok
in 2013, the Ibans made up 49%, the Malays 44% and Chinese, 7 %.
In the
2008 general election, Jelaing Mersat won in Saratok with a majority of 8,706
votes. He polled 12, 470 votes against 3,764 votes obtained by Mohd Yahya
Abdullah of PKR.
Based on
the margin of majority, Jelaing had won by 8,706 votes against 2081 for Mawan.
In terms of votes obtained, Jelaing had 12,470 votes while Mawan had 11,600
votes.
In 2013,
there were 27,562 registered voters while in 2008, there were 23,982 registered
voters.
Based on
the number of registered voters in 2013 and 2008, Mawan should have polled more
votes if he was popular with the voters as his supporters had claimed, but he
did not.
In the
final analysis, Mawan could only win in GE14 if he can get substantial number
of Iban votes while at the same time, he gets 80 to 90 % of the Malay votes.
BN,
however, should not underestimate Ali, if he is to be fielded by PKR again, to
cause an upset in Saratok. That is if
Mawan is BN's pick for Saratok.
And BN
should not forget PDP members who may switch support for PKR, instead of voting
for Mawan.
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