[UPDATED with photos from the ground] A musing on the many firsts for Sibu that took place in the few weeks leading up to last Sunday’s by-election, that reflects a changed Malaysia.

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Sibu Miracle – May 16,2010

Never before in Sibu have we seen such a strong line of a multi-ethnic opposition coalition working together hand in hand way into the wee hours of the night to bring about change.

Never before in Sibu have we seen so many Malays proudly wearing DAP caps and shirts on the streets.

Never before in Sibu have we seen a Malay woman donning the tudung, hoisting a huge DAP flag.

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Never before in Sibu kopitiam have we seen Chinese men inviting Malay PKR men (who are strangers to them) to engage in an amicable and spirited conversation about political issues and problems.

Never before in Sibu have we witnessed such a wide range of topics previously thought of as “taboo” and “sensitive”, being analysed and discussed in front of a huge multi-racial audience eager for change, in such peace, non-hostility, and good faith.

Never before in Sibu have we witnessed such a huge display of support for the opposition – a 15,000 strong public attendance at an opposition grand-finale ceramah on 15th May 2010, where the public stayed for six consecutive hours, from 6.00p.m. to midnight. Not only were they there on their own accord, they did not leave when it drizzled, they were not paid to turn up, and they even donated on the spot for the cause.

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Never before in Sibu have we witnessed large crowds gathering to listen to speeches on issues instead of watching fireworks and helicopters whizzing in the sky.

Never before in Sibu have we witnessed our Malaysian Prime Minister flying in to Sibu three times in a week to campaign for one single Parliamentary seat (the ruling coalition had alleged that the opposition would not be able to do anything about) – this shows us how important getting hold of even one seat has become.

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Never before in Sibu have we seen night after night, throngs of Malaysians of all races attending ceramahs with total devotion to listening to every word spoken without the incentive of BBQs, jamuan makan malam, rumah terbuka, lucky draws, beauty contests, karaoke singing competitions, and all that rubbish.

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Never before in Sibu has the Election Commission (headquartered at the Sibu Civic Centre) been cordoned off by so many police and FRU personnel, all surrounding roads blocked off, traffic jam due to the massive crowd gathering in the rain to await the final outcome of an election.

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Never before in Sibu have so many of my friends come to realise the value of being a registered voter and cherish the ability to vote.

Never before in Sibu have I heard young people telling each other “I am going to register as a voter, fly home, and vote next time to do my part.”

Sibu by-election 16th May 2010 is a day of so many “Firsts” for Sibu and I wish it will also trigger many more “Firsts” for the rest of the Central Region of Sarawak.

It is indeed a miracle.

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Wee Wui Kiat is a lawyer practising in Sarawak. Has a burning passion for history and believes hypocrisy is a weapon of mass destruction more dangerous to human civilisation than nuclear weapons.

8 replies on “[UPDATED] Never before in Sibu”

  1. I am curious to know what is the actual voting pattern. If SIbu is a Chinese town, why such a low margin of victory? What is the breakdown in the racial composition of the voters of Sibu? I think too many people may be deluding themselves "what a great victory" this has been. BN's policy has been discriminatory against the Chinese and certainly bound to obtain divisive support from the Dyaks. Let's not fool ourselves. The Dyaks are political creatures also. How many supported BN?

  2. LBurok, 1st time my friend informed me of your existence. Sorry for my ignorant. He3.

    NEVER BEFORE is a good 'TRADE MARK' which I think would be able to enable we 'old blokes' to remember.

    NEVER BEFORE the Sarawakians WOKE UP SUDDENLY after being CHEATED FOR 45 YEARS.

    NEVER BEFORE you got robbed 95% of your OIL ROYALTY and yet nothing was given for your NATION DEVELOPMENT.

    NEVER BEFORE you are a PARTNER to the MALAYSIA FEDERATION and being treated as OUTCAST and only given ONE FEDERAL MINISTER POST plus a few rubbish Deputies.

    NEVER BEFORE there should be West or East Malaysia. You are Sarawak, Sabah and here Malaya.

    May God Bless you all and stand up to face more 'onslaught' from those from Malaya.

    We got HIT and BULLIED here, you all there are PARTNERS and don't get bullied again for another 45 years !!!!!!

    Cheers,

    DAVID

  3. BE END really sucks try to cling to power with all evil mean.Even by selling their mom to prostitude.What is GOD to them. Massage to the goverment if you want to win the peoples heart the only way throught genuine sincere democrasi way.Remember everyone have to leave this world to face the creator.The death is just the beginning.God bless malaysia.

  4. CONGRATULATION! INDEED A MIRACLE INDEED.THE GOD ALREADY SHOWING HIS MERCY TO THE PEOPLE BY PUNISHING THE ALTANTUYA,KUGAN,TEO BENG HOCK,ALMINULRASYID KILLER.THIS IS SATU MALAYSIA BEING KILL!!!.LET THERE BE KNOWN EVIL CANNOT REMAIN FOREVER.BN-BARISAN NAJIS,BARISAN BABI,BARISAN NERAKA,BARISAN NIAAMAH,BARISAN NONOK,BARISAN NO BRAIN,BARISAN NO.

  5. Saudaraku yang baik hati,

    Aku menulis surat ini di pagi sesudah Pakatan Rakyat memenangi kerusi Sibu. Aku tahu bahawa kaum kerabat Pakatan Rakyat sedang dalam keriangan. Syabas! Aku tahu kau juga sedang tersenyum puas kerana kemenangan ini. Aku hanya ingin sama menumpang berkongsi riang.

    Kemenangan di Sibu rasa aku adalah kemenangan rakyat yang mahukan perubahan. Kemenangan itu adalah manifestasi kebencian majoriti warga Serawak yang telah bosan dengan tindak tanduk dan rompakan gerombolan manoriti Melanau. Hari-hari akhir hegemoni Melanau telah kelihatan. Ini aku amat yakin.

    Sebelum kau terus membaca surat aku ini, aku perlu minta maaf terlebih dahulu. Ini kerana surat ini akan membawa berita yang tidak akan mententeramkan hati kau.

    Aku sebenarnya adalah pembawa ayat-ayat songsang. Aku pembawa ayat-ayat setan yang selalu tidak menyenangkan hati. Aku menjadi perawi yang membawa surah-surah yang mengegarkan keyakinan diri.

    Ingin aku beri tahu bahawa isi surat ini telah aku fikirkan ketika kiraan undi semakin melonjak untuk Pakatan Rakyat. Setiap kali undi melonjak setiap kali degup jantung aku bergegar. Apakah kau faham apa yang ingin aku katakan ini?

    Aku mahu kau sedar bahawa kemenangan di Sibu adalah notis akhir untuk menghantar Anwar ke tali gantung. Kau faham?

    bersambung di:
    http://tukartiub.blogspot.com/2010/05/sila-baca-i

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