Political methods and strategies by Sarawak Barisan Nasional / Sarema Putri Ismail and Siti Sherina Roslan

This research examines the performances of Barisan Nasional (BN) party of Malaysia and its components parties (ie. PBB, SPDP, SUPP, PRS) in the 2016 Sarawak State Election. The 2016 Sarawak State Election was held May 2016 and it was a tense battle between the ruling BN and the opposition parties. Barisan Nasional (BN) has successfully a dominant party and maintain the position for than 50 years in Sarawak, making it the longest-serving elected government. However, the emergence of the new generation of youth and opposition’s strategies has challenged the status quo. The study is based on the assumption that there is a linkage between BN’s methods and strategies that enable BN sustain with the position. Therefore, the study investigates the methods and strategies used by Sarawak Barisan Nasional in maintaining their dominant position. This research will be conducting in rural area specifically in N27 Sebuyau Sarawak.This study uses quantitative and qualitative method of research to analyse of data. The data were collected from the distribution of questionnaires and interviews from 50 of respondents. The researcher uses Descriptive Analysis and Pearson’s Correlation for quantitative method and interviews for the Qualitative analysis. The study argues that Barisan Nasional Sarawak will portray Barisan Nasional Peninsular which will decrease public confidence towards Barisan Nasional in general. It is also argue on how BN tackle the people and upbringing the voting rate through rural-urban difference. However, BN’s methods and strategies are quiet sound and practical as it is dived to into four namely money which financial aids, machineries, media and campaign strategies. Therefore, the study have found that the main method used by BN is media specifically in using traditional media and candidates’ background. Based on our interview most ofthe people recommend that BN should fulfilled the promises and be people-oriented in order for BN to sustain longer.