Prime Minister Abdullah said a few days ago he realised something amiss in the Sarawak elections even before the people went to cast their votes last Saturday.

His intuition was proven right as the urban electorate sent a strong message that they are fed-up with his government’s management of the economy.

Abdullah had the foresight to postpone announcement of the increase in electricity tariffs. Minister Keng Yaik was ready to announce the 12 percent increase after last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Abdullah put a stop to it. He knew the announcement, if made three days before polling days in Sarawak, would cause an avalanche of protests.

It would have brought devastating effects on the electorates especially the urban voters who would received the greatest impact. Any increase in electricity tariff would not mean much to rural Sarawak voters as many interior villages are still without the basic amenity.

Had the announcement been made last Wednesday, DAP would have capitalised on it. It would have unleashed greater anti-BN votes.

I think DAP would have won another three to four seats where BN won by very thin majorities.

In hindsight, Abdullah’s timely intervention saved the day for BN and SUPP in particular.

If not, it would have been a much glorious victory for the DAP.

Now let’s see how the 12 percent hike in electricity tariffs will impact the country’s economy and voters’ sentiments.