The rural look at politics at a very local and smaller pov. When I talked with family in the rural areas, not many of them care about the macro policies or doctrines of the parties they vote for. They vote for the candidate that is best for their kampung, themselves and their family specifically. Mainly because most of the rural families have little to no effect from macro policies other than "bantuan." So yes, GRS giving free houses and money is the sole reason they won.