SANDAKAN POLLS | Vivian Wong has defended her no-show at a Bersih forum for all candidates of the Sandakan by-election planned for tomorrow, citing her extremely "tight schedule."
Speaking to reporters on the campaign trail, the DAP candidate stressed that her absence was not to be construed as her viewing the forum as unimportant.
Instead, she said that due to the "last minute" nature of the event, she and her campaign team had been unable to slot it in.
"Indeed, my schedule is so tight. I just came back from Pulau Berhala and I rushed over here just to have a press conference with all of you (the media)," she said in a press conference after a meeting with DAP grassroots and leaders.
"We can't slot in any more (events)... we have a lot of ministers from the peninsula coming in (tomorrow).
"Upon discussion with my campaign manager, we decided that as our schedule has been planned ahead, we don't want to just mess up. It's not because it is not important."
'No DAP, PBS'
In a statement earlier today, the Sabah chapter of Bersih stated that it would organise a forum tomorrow to provide a platform for all five by-election candidates to voice their ideas and plans for Sandakan.
It added, however, that only the three independent candidates – Hamzah Abdullah, Chia Siew Yong and Sulaiman Abdul Samad – were willing to participate.
"Unfortunately, candidates from DAP and PBS are unable to attend, as according to both, they have packed schedules which cannot be altered," its statement read.
Sabah Bersih said that the forum was planned due to the May 11 by-election being the first in Sabah since the 14th general election, and just days after the first anniversary of Pakatan Harapan and Warisan being in power.
"We wished to enliven freedom of expression and democratic space in the country by presenting the candidates to share their vision to help the people of Sabah," it said.
The forum is scheduled to take place at 10am at Hotel Labuk, Bandar Labuk Jaya.
The Sandakan parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of its incumbent Stephen Wong on March 28.
Wong, who is Stephen’s youngest daughter and former special assistant, is contesting against PBS vice-president Linda Tsen, and the three independents.
Malaysiakini has contacted Tsen for a response. - mkini
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