Speaking to FMT, Universiti Malaya political analyst Associate Prof Awang Azman Pawi said, however, any form of protest votes would be minimal.
He was commenting on criticism levelled at the state government led by Adenan Satem. This includes the state government’s u-turn on tabling a motion in the state assembly to restore Sarawak’s status in the federation and on native customary rights issues.
Awang said it was crucial that the state government find concrete solutions to issues rather than providing lip service.
“Adenan has to deliver on promises he made during the state election last year by pushing Putrajaya and prime minister Najib Razak to resolve issues related to devolution of powers from the federal government.
“It will be dangerous for BN to assume that Sarawak is extremely safe and secure in the next election.”
Universiti Sarawak Malaysia political analyst Associate Prof Jeniri Amir said if Adenan did not deliver on election promises, his popularity rating – regarded by many analysts as a key factor in BN’s sweeping victory in the last state election – might drop a little.
He said during the state election last May, Adenan’s popularity stood at 85% but this might drop by a few percentage points because of the recent issues.
“The fulfilling of election promises would be more relevant to those who keep abreast of political developments rather than rural folk who make up two thirds of Sarawak’s electorate.”
In rural areas, Jeniri said, infrastructure development and day-to-day issues were more important.
He added, in the Sarawak election, the oppositions’ playing up of issues related to Najib was not effective as it was a state election and it was all about the Adenan factor, but this might be different in parliamentary elections.
Nevertheless, Jeniri believed even though the BN might not receive the same level of support it got in the state election, there would be no big changes in the state as far as election results went.
In last year’s state election BN won 72 of the 82 seats in the state assembly