Real challenge lies in forming strong opposition: Kit Siang

PETALING JAYA: DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang (pix) said the real challenge for the opposition in the upcoming Sarawak state election is to increase the number of opposition lawmakers to provide a strong check and balance mechanism against the government of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
"Two issues in the 11th Sarawak state general election on May 7 are already decided – that Tan Sri Adenan Satem will be the Sarawak Chief Minister for the next five years and that the Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) will form the next government," he said.
"The real issue about the Sarawak state assembly to be decided on is whether there is going to be a strong, effective and principled opposition grouping in the state assembly," he said in a speech at a ceramah organised by DAP last night.
He said a strong opposition is necessary to ensure that Adenan keeps his election promises and does not abuse his power, as well as to prepare for a non-BN government in five years' time in the next state general election in 2021.
Lim added the most ideal result for the opposition would be to deny BN a two-thirds majority in the state legislative assembly, by taking 28 seats in the 82-seat house.
"However, I do not think this is likely to be achieved on polling day as I do not see the signs that the opposition collectively will be able to win 28 seats," he said while remaining hopeful that more than 20 opposition members could be elected on May 7.