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A letter from Kuching

A Kuching-based political observer sent me this letter which I am sharing with you. See what you make of it.

What PR and PKR in particular failed to understand is how the BN has worked in rural areas (Malay, Melanau, Iban, Bidayuh and some Orang Ulu). These communities rely heavily on the BN for paltry sums of donations and grants. Come elections the penghulus (appointed by BN) may be told to ensure all the longhouses under their care vote for BN and prevent any opposition politicians from entering their longhouses.

A plea from Sarawak

Just before I left Sarawak, a Melanau resident of Kuching gave me some sound advice to pass on.

Baru Bian last night after clinching the Ba' Kelalan seat. On the far right, partly hidden, is See Chee How - Photo by Anil

“Please tell the opposition parties not to focus on urban areas in Sarawak. We know what the issues are. They need to work in the interior areas. That’s where the work must be done.”

Live – Report from Sarawak

Coming to you live from Kuching.

Sarawak Report accessible on WordPress

According to a note on Sarawak Report’s Facebook page, its reports can now be found on the premier third-party blog hosting site WordPress.

Bersih lands in Sarawak!

Wong Chin Huat of the Bersih civil society coalition pushing for electoral reforms may have been denied entry into Sarawak, but today, another Bersih leader entered the state.

Enter Bersih: Kin Woon upon stepping out of Kuching Airport just after noon today

Bersih steering committee member Toh Kin Woon arrived in Kuching this morning. I bumped into him before and after the flight to Kuching.

Malaysiakini accessible on Facebook, blog sites

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Malaysiakini is now accessible on Facebook< WordPress and Blogspot after its servers were knocked out.

Malaysiakini goes down

Malaysiakini now seems to be having some problem with its servers.

“The (political) tsunami is happening now”

Sometimes it is the little tell-tale signs that say a lot. Like when the pau man in Penang innocently asked me just a few days before GE2008, “Why-ah everyone voting for opposition this time?”

Komtar phase 5 may be cancelled

Komtar phase 5 may be scrapped and instead the area my be conserved for its cultural and heritage character.

Well done, PDC, for thinking twice about this! Also be careful how the canal is rehabilitated bearing in mind the area is swampy ground.

Whaddayaknow, Sarawak already richest state!

The BN vows to make Sarawak the richest state. But you know something? Sarawak is already the richest state in the country. But – and there is a big but – the problem lies in income distribution.

This commentary from the Aliran website:

The BN pledges to make Sarawak the richest state in Malaysia.