In fact, he added, Najib has been doing just that. “Anything that Sarawak asks for, it will get. The cry of Sarawak for Sarawakians has become louder.”

This turn of events has not been lost on the other states in the Federation, pointed out Mahathir. “They too are more strident in their demands for greater autonomy. On the other hand, the poorer states of the Federation will suffer from the imbalance in treatment by the centre.”

So, while Adenan and Sarawakians celebrate their landslide victory, Najib will have to worry about being over dependent on the fix-deposit states, he reiterated.

Mahathir, nevertheless, hastened to congratulate Adenan for the landslide victory of his coalition in the Sarawak state election. “For a first-time Chief Minister this is a satisfying achievement indeed. Also, congratulations to SUPP.”

Najib has no reason to be happy, ventured Mahahir. “What the BN Sarawak achieved was to weaken the authority of the Federal Government which Najib leads.”

“He is now going to be even more dependent on the support of Sarawak than before. Already he has given in to all of Sarawak’s demands.”

Mahathir called for balance in terms of power between the centre and the state. “This will ensure interdependence between the two.”

After the 13th General Election, recalled Mahathir, support from Sarawak and Sabah became crucial to the Federal Government. “It requires only a loss (by defection) of 12 or 13 Members of Parliament for the Federal Government to be brought down.”