S'WAK POLLS Despite Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem issuing a stern warning against the big six timber merchants after helming the state in 2014, he visited five out of them after the announcing of the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

His message - vote for BN - has been spread during the gathering of merchants' employees.

The big six are KTS Trading, Rimbunan Hijau, Samling, Shin Yang, Ta Ann and WTK Holdings Berhad.

Adenan has already visited KTS (April 8), Rimbunan Hijau (April 14), Ta Ann (April 19), Samling (April 19) and Shin Yang (April 20). The first three are based in Sibu while the latter two are in Miri.

According to local Chinese and English press reports, Adenan has urged the employees to back the ruling party during his visits.

Sarawak politics and timber merchants are intertwined, noted political observers.

Associate professor of University Malaysia Sarawak Andrew Aeria pointed out that Adenan could not afford to lose the big six’s support.

“This is very obvious, these people (timber merchants) control the economy. He (Adenan) has to go to them.

“This is the influence of business in politics,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Anti-corruption wayang kulit

Agreeing with Aeria, Sarawak political pundit James Chin opined Adenan's anti-corruption drive is merely wayang kulit (shadow play).

This is no different from his predecessor Abdul Taib Mahmud, who had been embroiled in timber scandals, he added.

“Adenan can't disturb them because the merchants support him via financial backing and votes.”

Since the 1970s, Melanau-based political elites have been cooperating with Chinese Foochow merchant elites against Dayak political powers - the majority of the state population, said Chin.

“The Melanau control politics, while economic power is controlled by Foochow merchants. If you remember, the Dayak have held power in Sarawak from 1963 to 1970.

“Since the 1970s, these two groups’ elite have been cooperating to marginalise the Dayak.”

Weakening Dayak parties

According to Chin, the Dayak’s political power has been split into SUPP, PRS and SPDP as a result of the Melanau-Foochow merchant alliance's domination in the political arena in the land of the hornbills.

Adenan, according to a Sin Chew Daily report, has participated in KTS staff gatherings in Sibu. He announced that UPP - the splinter party of SUPP - would get one seat during the upcoming state election.

UPP has a close ties with KTS, whose boss' Henry Lau's aunty Janet Lau has been slated as Pelawan BN’s direct candidate.

Sibu-based Rimbunan Hijau is another close confidante of UPP’s. Sin Chew reported that Adenan urged 8,000 employees to back BN during a staff gathering on April 16.

Among the attendees were Rimbunan Hijau executive chairperson Tiong Hiew King, director-cum-Dudong BN direct candidate Tiong Thai King and caretaker second finance minister Wong Soon Koh.

Wong, who is incumbent UPP chairperson, has his political career based in Sibu.

Promise the six won't fall

Adenan, according to the report, promised the big six timber tycoons they would not fall.

“Should the big six end operations, a hundred thousand employees would lose their jobs, many would be affected indirectly.

“Where would the unemployed go?” said Adenan according to a Sin Chew report.

The event photo shows a banner ‘Fully support Tok Nan’ displayed to show the company's appreciation for Adenan's promise.

Two days ago, Adenan visited two companies: first the Sibu-based Ta Ann, later flying to Miri, a major town 400km away to visit Samling.

Adenan during his visit to Ta Ann was greeted with ‘Ta Ann fully supports Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem's leadership’, reported See Hua Daily News .

According to Sin Chew , Adenan also urged Samling’s staff to back BN candidates in order to help him stay on as chief minister.

Adenan is widely popular among Sarawakians.

Yesterday, Adenan visited and praised Shin Yang Group’s sponsorship of RM1 million for him to sing three songs. The money will go to MRC Miri Kidney Dialysis Centre, according to The Borneo Post .

‘Don't mess with me’

All this is in stark contrast to two years back, when Adenan issued a stern warning to the big six “ not to mess with him ” and to stay away from illegal logging.

He even went a step further by asking the timber merchants to sign integrity pledges.

However the next day, Adenan clarified that he did not intend to accuse the timber companies and tycoons of being involved in corruption.

Instead, he urged the companies to supervise the subcontractors, suppliers and staff.

Today, at least five Chinese business tycoons and family members of wealthy timber merchants in the state have made their way into Adenan’s candidates list .

This intertwining of politics and business has stirred controversy.

However, Janet Lau and Tiong Thai King have rebutted this, saying Sarawak merchants have every right to contest for elections and contribute to society.