The Sarawak polls have just concluded, so what have we gained?

Have the people of Sarawak learnt anything new apart from those in the urban areas? Certainly not! But why?

I am sure the opposition wants to know the reason too, and hopefully will not leave any stone unturned in the next campaign. However, I am sure a small number of us have general ideas or opinions about this.

Firstly, the opposition has not even touched the surface lobbying in the rural areas that we all know is almost next to impossible as they lacked the funds and facilities. Meanwhile BN used and abused all the machinery they had at their disposal while the bill will surely go to the rakyat.

How convenient!

Secondly, the BN government can suddenly find funds somewhere to finance projects like building highways, giving Astro to the rural people as well as Tupperwares during ceramahs. Is this not a form of high level bribery? Is the Election Commission blind or deaf or are they just precisely what a writer has called them: a very good component party of the BN?

Thirdly, (and I think this is the most acceptable reason, in my personal opinion), has the opposition ever thought of checking our talk of bribery of the ketua (tuai rumah)? I am sure there is a paper trail left behind by the perpetrators.

I have been told by friends and some reliable sources, all that is needed is to 'buy' the ketua over with lavish gifts and promises of money, in exchange for convincing his 'orang bawahan' to do his bidding and vote the right party. Who has the means to do that other than the government?

After all, as reported reliably by government-controlled media, “The Malay Melanaus have the loyalty to vote for Taib despite what is said about their leader”.

The opposition should start checking at JHEOA how much is allocated to take care of Orang Asli affairs and how much of the funsd actually reach the Orang Asli.

Frankly, I am sceptical that much has reached the Orang Asli as they are obviously still living well below the poverty line.

Of course, the biggest challenge is having to contend with a very protective society that will not easily reveal the truth to outsiders.

Why? Perhaps they have been threatened to keep their mouths shut lest they lose out on their 'allocations'.

What allocations, I ask?