In Batu Sapi, a BN win is on the cards

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Barisan Nasional (BN) looks set to score a by-election victory in Batu Sapi, Sabah next month with speculation pointing to the late Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah’s widow as a likely candidate for the seat.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Linda Tsen Thau Lin, who herself is a PBS Wanita divisional chairman, is one of the favourites among three others who may be chosen to stand for the coming polls caused by the recent death of her husband.

PBS information chief Datuk Johnny Mositun confirmed today that the party had shortlisted its candidate choices to just four persons including Linda, her brother Edward, PBS vice-president and former Sungai Sibuga assemblyman Datuk Thien Fui Yun, and lawyer Junior Koh Siew Hui.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is scheduled to announce the name of the chosen candidate at 2pm tomorrow during a function at the Sandakan Community Hall.

It is believed that PKR’s entry into the race would not count for much because many local Sabahans remain suspicious of the peninsular-based party.

Talk is that not only do the local folk have little regard for PKR’s politics in the national arena, they also look to the late Chong as a well-liked MP and a popular man among his constituents.

If anything, the real contest is between BN’s Sabah-based partner Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and the opposition’s new ally, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Despite talks with PKR this week, SAPP refused to back out from the race and throw its support behind PKR, insisting that it would field a candidate of its own.

As such, combining Linda’s likely candidacy with her husband’s popularity among Sabah folk and the fact that both SAPP and PKR have refused to join forces to compete as one, all fingers now point to BN as the probable victor in the race.

Although many leaders have chosen to remain cautiously confident, they have also admitted that the present setting looked more favourable for BN.

Johnny told The Malaysian Insider yesterday that the party was not disagreeable to both SAPP and PKR throwing their hats in the ring for the contest, pointing out jovially that “the more, the merrier”.

“We are open to them. Anyone has the right to stand for election. Whether it is their strategy or not, for us in PBS and the BN, we will focus on our target.

“I won’t say that it is good (that SAPP and PKR are contesting) but why not? The more the merrier, right?” he said, laughing.

PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai pointed out that Chong had been a very popular man during his tenure as MP, acknowledging that this could help PBS retain the seat.

“Of course, like any other election, we must work hard to ensure we get the support required to have the victory, which we should, because it is a BN seat and we will ensure that this stays that way,” he said.

Sandakan MP Datuk V. K. Liew agreed with Yee, pointing out that the wave of support towards the late Chong still existed.

He also admitted that it would be a difficult to fight for the SAPP, pointing out that its likely candidate, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, was a good friend to Chong and his family, including his wife Linda.

“Edmund was everybody’s good friend. Such a nice man, so friendly, and also a very good friend of mine. It was a tragedy that caused him to pass away and I think people still remember that,” he said.

Chong passed away after a fatal road accident in Kota Kinabalu on Octover 9.

“So from my political point of view, of course it would be an adavntage for us in BN. But of course, at the end of the day, it is still in the hands of the people.

“On paper, it looks as if the opposition is at a disadvantage,” he said.

Liew also claimed the oppositon was “not really concerned” about winning the by-election but were merely engaged in a “political game”.

“Both parties are in a position where they have to put their feet down to set the stage for the coming 13th general election.

“They both want to have a claim in the area so by putting out their candidates, they can say that since they contested before, they shud be given the seat again in the general election,” he said.

Liew also charged at SAPP’s Yong for his proclamation that his party wanted to contest 40 seats in the next general election in order for them to form a new state government.

“He talks all the time about rejecting west Malaysia’s politics and keeps saying ‘Sabah for Sabahan’ but now they are negotiating with PKR so it shows they cannot stand on their own. They still need the backing of a west Malaysian party,” he said.

The Batu Sapi by-election will be held together with the Galas by-election in Kelantan with nomination day set for October 26 and polling day on November 4.

Of the past 11 by-elections held in Malaysia since 2008, BN has only won in three seats — Batang Ai, Bagan Pinang and Hulu Selangor.

There are 25,582 registered voters in Batu Sapi, including 1,535 postal voters.

Chong had won the seat with a 3,708-vote majority over independent Chung On Wing in Elections 2008.

SAPP will announce its candidate tomorrow while BN will make do so on Sunday.

PKR has yet to indicate when it will announce its candidate. - Malaysian Insider