FACED with the risk of choosing wrongly, the Malay/Melanaus opted to vote in all the 35 candidates fielded by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which made up largely of members of the community and a number of Dayaks.
The game plan was simple -- the Malay/Melanau community was not willing to gamble away its dominant role in the state government under Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is one of them.
And why should it?
PBB has always played a dominant role in the state Barisan Nasional. The only time the party recorded a poor showing was in 1987, when it won 14 seats and lost nine.
That too, because the issue then was different -- some prominent Malay/Melanau community leaders had left PBB and formed a splinter group called Permas, thus splitting the votes.
But in 1991, PBB lost only four seats, one in 1996 and went on to record 100 per cent success in 2001 and 2006.
Universiti Sains Malaysia's School of Social Sciences deputy dean Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the sentiment was understandable.
"The community has benefited much under Taib. It did not have any major issues with him, unlike the Chinese.
"PBB is 100 per cent solidly behind him and there is minimal voice of discontent or queries on when he will give way to a successor."
The community was willing to bury its dissatisfaction by looking at the bigger picture, and for the sake of the future generation.
"Yes, I am not saying BN is perfect but it is the best choice when we compare it with others. We can still depend on BN. One must think about the future and the younger generation. Do not follow your heart as the government is doing a good job," said kuih seller Makcik Dayang Jaenah Awang Maadon from Muara Tuang, near here.
As Sivamurugan said, the Malay/ Melanau community has indeed gained much from BN. An example of this is the Malay heartland of Satok, which consists of traditional Malay kampung, situated in the heart of the city.
The number of surau in the area, which are within a short distance of one another and similar to a mosque in size and architecture, is testimony to BN's deeds for the community.
The community is also familiar with its leaders from PBB, who have proven track records, unlike those from Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Take the case of influential and well-loved eight-term Satok assemblyman Datuk Amar Abang Johari Abang Openg and his challenger -- political greenhorn Ahmad Nazib Johari.
From day one, it was clear that Nazib, despite his confidence which some perceived as being too much, was no match for Abang Johari.
Nazib, although born and bred in the same neighbourhood of Satok as Abang Johari, is not known among the people here. He makes his living in the peninsula, hence the view among the kampung folk that he failed to relate to their issues.
Sivamurugan said the Malay/ Melanau community could not identify with PKR leaders.
"The Malay/Melanau leaders from PKR are alien to the community. Also, PKR does not have any single leader from the community whom the party can be proud of."
This is very true. While PKR projected its state head, Baru Bian, as the designated chief minister, it did not have any names among the party's top leaders who could be the sole voice of the Malay/Melanau community.
"PKR is history as far as Sarawak is concerned. The Malay/Melanau community wants a local voice and not one from the peninsula, as PKR is looked at. The party can never make inroads into these constituencies and its only hope is the Dayak and Chinese areas," added Sivamurugan.
PBB also did very well in the neighbouring Tupong and Samariang constituencies, earlier perceived as grey areas for BN owing to some dissatisfaction with the assemblymen, who were retained in Saturday's state election.
Indeed, PBB improved its majority in most of the Malay/Melanau constituencies. Examples include Pantai Damai, where its vote majority increased from 2,164 in 2006 to 5,071; Samariang from 2,488 to 5,431; Sadong Jaya from 858 to 2,934; Lingga from 1,870 to 2,506; and Jemoreng from 1,710 to 2,926.
The Malay/Melanau community has spoken -- it wants continued stability and is not willing to take a gamble. And as long as PBB listens to the voice of the grassroots, it can be sure of being seen as a formidable party.
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