KUCHING: Sarawakians handed Tan Sri Adenan Satem a landslide victory in a ringing endorsement of his two years in office as Chief Minister and returning Barisan Nasional to power for an 11th straight term.
The Barisan sweep of 72 seats was all the sweeter because it wrested seven Chinese seats including Batu Kawah, the most keenly watched contest in the election with SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian coming out the victor.
It was a defining moment for the 72-year-old Adenan in four decades of politics.
Leading Barisan for the first time in a state election, he had asked voters to give him five more years to realise his vision for the state in what he has said will be his last term with Chinese representation in his Cabinet .
And the Chinese responded by returning Barisan in Batu Kawah, Piasau, Dudong, Bawang Assan, Repok, Meradong and the new seat of Batu Kitang.
Soon after the final outcome was known, Adenan took his oath again as Chief Minister before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud at his official residence, Astana.
