Drama over Pujut seat might backfire on BN

PETALING JAYA: Following the Kuching High Court's decision to rule against the Sarawak state assembly's decision to disqualify DAP's Dr Ting Tiong Choon as Pujut assemblyman, a political scientist said the state Barisan Nasional's (BN) latest bid on the seat has backfired and may work against the coalition in the next general election.
Pointing out BN's lack of prudence in this case, Dr Jeneri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said the coalition should have realised that given its solid hold on the state after winning 72 of the total 82 state seats in the last election, adding another seat would not make any difference.
But now, it is giving the Opposition ammunition to hit back, Oriental Daily News report today.
"I believe DAP will harp on the issue, which does not bode well for BN. The ruling coalition should think prudently about its plans, including whether it should appeal the High Court decision," he said, describing the court ruling as a slap on the state BN's face.
He said what the state BN has done gave voters the impression that it was abusing its power.
Jeneri told Oriental Daily that upholding the principle of the separation of (executive, legislative and judiciary) powers is very important lest a lot of issues will crop up.
"The (Kuching High Court's) ruling can be regarded as a heavy slap on the state Barisan Nasional, as it was its third attempt (to wrest the seat from the Opposition).
"The first was during the last state election, and the second was when it challenged Ting's election in court (through a petition by vanquished BN candidate Datuk Hii King Chiong). It should not have abused its power as such."
He said the choice of Pujut electorate should have been respected for the full term.
Meanwhile, Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser of Pacific Research Centre, a local think-tank, does not think the court decision will have any impact on the state BN's chances in the next polls.
The bumiputras in the state will continue to vote for BN and the Chinese will be torn mainly between DAP and SUPP.