CANDIDATE POSER?
Sabah seat set for close contest
KEY parties eyeing the Sandakan constituency look set to determine their agendas and candidates, with less than a week to go before nomination day on April 27.
Already, hopeful independents have made known their intentions ahead of the May 11 by-election, but the main players in the race for the parliamentary seat are keeping their choice of candidate close to their chest.
Sabah DAP, which is defending the seat for the ruling Parti Warisan-Pakatan Harapan-Upko pact, has yet to reveal its candidate,
fuelling speculation of a list that includes the daughter of the late Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, whose death on March 28 paved the way for the by-election, and several party loyalists.
“This is just speculation,” said a party insider on the names floating around, such as Wong’s daughter Vivian, Datuk John Khoo, Jimmy Tsen and Bryan Chin.
Opposition Parti Bersatu Sabah has indicated an interest in the seat but its president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the party would decide after Easter Sunday (today).
“Our members are on the ground. Our Youth and Wanita members are doing their rounds, listening to the grassroots. We will decide, but only after Easter,” said the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament.
As for Sabah Umno, its firebrand liaison chief Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said it would back any BN candidate in the race and give the DAP candidate a run for his money.
“It will be a close fight for the seat. The opposition candidate has a good chance of pulling off a surprise victory.
“The failure to abolish the PTPTN, SST, toll and fuel prices are among the issues the people will look at,” he added.
“After three consecutive victories (in the Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau by-elections), BN might just grab a fourth in Sandakan.”
Umno’s only partner in Sabah, MCA, is also keen on the seat and its state chief, Lee Wan Tung, had told Berita Harian a meeting would be held to decide soon.
Independents who have joined the race are former Amanah Sabah chief Hamzah Abdullah, oil palm company executive Chia Siew Yung, youth activist Jufazli Ahmad and former administrative assistant at Sandakan Parliamentary Service Centre, Sulaiman Abdul Samat.