AS polling day approaches in Sarawak, political parties are upping the ante in their campaign, intensifying their wooing of the voters’ hearts and playing devil’s advocate.
Analysts and observers alike have predicted a big win for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state, owing to an approach made famous by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem: The Adenan way.
His team, Team Adenan, as it is popularly known, has been redoubling their efforts, focusing on the execution of BN’s grand plan for the state while addressing critical bread- and-butter issues.
The rural areas, already BN strongholds, continue to be the centre of the ruling coalition’s campaigns.
Sarawak BN, since day one, had put their efforts in all corners, giving priority to rural voters.
Their campaign strategy, one that centres on returning autonomy to Sarawak, appeals to the rural folk, who are in need of a government that has the capability to fight for their rights and help them build a better livelihood.
They don’t need to rely on backbiting and they don’t beat around the bush.
At the centre of it all is Adenan.
At events and meet-and-greet sessions, Adenan, upon arrival, would break into a song — Cliff Richard & The Shadows’ The Young Ones — much to the delight of the audience.
Political analyst Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir believes that there is an upward trend of support for BN, saying that a shift in votes will be expected.
The credit to this shift, Jeniri opined, was because of Adenan’s calm and no-nonsense demeanour.
“The chief minister’s down-to-earth and approachable personality makes it hard for anyone not to like him.
“His real benchmark? An increase in popular votes and his team’s ability to wrest back a few seats lost in the last election,” he said.
Adenan’s “politics of wellbeing”, bodes well for Sarawak folk.
He has made over 50 changes and policies in just two years since his stewardship of the state.
This showed that his goals and initiatives, once regarded as “impossible dreams” by cynics, were indeed achievable.
He has proven to be the champion and protector of Sarawak folk’s rights, taking a strong stance on defending the state’s autonomy.
This, among many other things, got his ratings up.
“I’ve been told that I am popular among the people. I don’t know why,” he told reporters in his deep, Queen’s English tone.
His BN comrades are nothing short of supportive and things are looking up for the them.
Adenan’s feel-good factor radiates to them, giving a boost of high morale.
DAP, on the other hand, continues to press on in urban seats, trying their best to retain the 12 currently in their hands.
Their main strategy? Mega rallies in big cities in the state.
But a fearful DAP, worried of a low voter turnout on Saturday, has barely done anything to appeal to those in rural areas.
They continue harping on issues that matter very little to the rural folk, who need a guaranteed and brighter future for themselves and their families.
The socialist party, in attempts to garner more support, continues to sell the notion of the Goods and Services Tax being “evil” and other federal-level issues in their campaigns.
Other opposition parties’ campaign strategies, meanwhile, are lacklustre.
Apart from top guns making their rounds and throwing threats at the chief minister, and some flag-carrying lorries driving around town, they have yet to leave a long-lasting mark in the campaigning period, which ends in three days.
What matters most now, to BN at least, is whether Adenan’s high approval ratings will eventually translate into votes for the coalition.
And while it is anticipated that some votes would go back to BN and that the ruling coalition would once again take helm of the state, now is not the time for Team Adenan to slow down.