He said the controversy over the word “Allah” was capitalised to devastating effect. “Yes, this issue was very damaging. The Opposition used it to full effect.
“The Opposition also claimed that Bibles were seized and burned in Peninsular Malaysia. Personally, I don't believe that we (the Govern-ment) would do such things.
“However, the tide turned against us because the Opposition used such controversial and sensitive issues.
“We (the SUPP) were not prepared to answer such allegations because we never encountered such religious problems in the state.
“We were overwhelmed by the issues they brought up,” he said when asked to comment on the defeat of Barisan's Robert Lau Hui Yew to the DAP's Wong Ho Leng.
Dr Chan, who is Deputy Chief Minister, said he felt sad for the people of Sibu. He said the SUPP was disappointed with the outcome because of the implications.
When pointed out that there were also other issues that the Opposition had brought up against the Barisan, such as the flood woes, alleged unfair distribution of projects, nepotism and money politics, he said the SUPP had answered all these allegations.
“In previous elections, the Opposi-tion harped on such issues, but the people understood when we replied.
“This time, the issues raised were of a totally different nature. We were not prepared,” he said, adding that the SUPP did not anticipate that the DAP would harp on such inflammatory issues for political purposes.
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