KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state vice-chairman See Chee How has claimed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s current approval rating would unlikely be as high as it was earlier this year.
The Batu Lintang assemblyman said various factors could contribute to a drop in Adenan’s approval rating, including his open support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Besides that, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and devaluation of ringgit have increased the hardship of the people. These are all related to Najib and BN (Barisan Nasional) and Sarawakians are affected by all these, not only West Malaysians,” See told thesundaypost and See Hua Daily News recently.
In April, the Sarawak Good Governance Public Opinion Survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research on 606 respondents showed Adenan’s popularity rating among the various communities as follows; 82 per cent (Muslim Bumiputera community), 74 per cent (Dayak community) and 67 per cent (Chinese community).
According to See, Adenan now has little left to help him maintain or increase his approval rating.
“His office has done well in responding to public grouses, directing the various authorities to take necessary action. However, why are those authorities not following his lead to be proactive and firm to do the necessary? There is still much to be done to improve the delivery of certain departments and authorities.
“Merdeka Centre, in their report stated that even though Adenan enjoys such a high approval rating, the votes that will swing over to BN will only be between 5 and 10 per cent. Therefore, a high approval rating will not mean that voters will vote for BN because there are also other considerations for them,” he claimed.
See said while Adenan would still be chief minister after the next state election, he would not be the only factor for Sarawakians to consider.
“The State Legislative Assembly, for the first time in history had given Adenan full backing to negotiate with the federal government to increase the oil and gas royalties from currently 5 per cent to 20 per cent.
“However, when the request had gone to the federal side, they were not willing to increase the oil and gas royalties by even 1 per cent and we only got contracts and contributions through Petronas’ corporate social responsibility,” he said.
See added that political parties are mere vehicles as the leaders are the ones who make the difference.
“At the end of the day, it is the sincerity of the leaders and their work contributing to the betterment of the people and the state that will ensure them of electoral success,” he said.-Borneo Post
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