PSB's poor show leaves Wong disappointed despite Bawang Assan win

SIBU, Dec 18 -- Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh may have defended his Bawang Assan state seat for the seventh consecutive term but he was still downcast after watching his party suffer a heavy defeat in the 12th Sarawak election today.

Of the 70 seats the party contested, it won only four and he attributed it to the fact that Sarawakians were not ready to accept change, especially those in the rural areas.

“We cannot change the people unless they themselves want to change. So, we accept the people’s decision, the people’s choice and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) has the mandate to govern Sarawak,” he said after Bawang Assan returning officer Suhaili Mohamed announced his win at Dewan Suarah Sibu tonight.

The Election Commission (EC) today only announced the results for 81 of the 82 state seats, with that for the Mulu seat postponed due to safety factor. Of the 81 results announced, GPS won 75 seats, PSB four and DAP two.

Wong congratulated GPS, under the leadership of Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for the landslide victory, which was better than its win in the 2016 election that was led by the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

In today’s election, Wong won the Bawang Assan seat with a majority of 913 votes after obtaining 5,952 votes compared to his closest contender, GPS’ Robert Lau Hui Yew, who garnered 5,039 votes.

Amy Lau Bik Yieng of DAP obtained 1,173 votes, Michelle Ling Shyan Mih of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (954) and independent candidate Ricky Enteri (645).

The voter turnout for the constituency was 71 per cent and there were 166 spoilt votes.

-- BERNAMA