Give LDP candidate another chance in Sandakan – Chin
SANDAKAN: Barisan Nasional (BN) Sandakan parliamentary division chairman cum Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Datuk Chin Su Phin has urged voters to give the BNLDP Sandakan parliamentary seat candidate another chance in the 14th General Election (GE14) to serve the local community and bring more economic developments to the constituency.
Chin said the party had never ceased to serve and provide financial support to schools, churches, temples and community associations in Sandakan, despite not having government allocations, as LDP lost the Sandakan parliamentary seat in the last general election.
“Our Youth and Women Movements have also been very active in undertaking environmental projects. In addition, we strive to assist the local community in resolving their livelihood issues, such as drainage and road problems,” he highlighted.
Chin asserted that LDP is a party that walks the talk.
“We sincerely hope that the people of Sandakan will give us the chance to win back the parliamentary seat based on our track record of serving the local communities here. If LDP successfully recaptures the Sandakan seat, we will have more financial resources to support schools, churches, temples, associations and the people in this constituency,” he said when officiating at the LDP joint annual divisional conference in Sandakan yesterday.
He added the BN government had never neglected the development and people here despite having lost the Sandakan constituency. In fact, he said the government had rolled out affordable housing projects for the low-income groups in Sandakan.
“In addition, our PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has recently announced an allocation for the Sandakan Airport runway extension project. Upon completion of the project, Sandakan Airport will be able to accommodate more flights, especially from China, thereby bringing in more tourists to stimulate the local economy. We also hope that the private sector will work hand in hand with the government to uncover and develop more tourism attractions and products so that visitors will stay longer and spend more in Sandakan,” he said.
According to Chin, he has also personally proposed to the Prime Minister to set up an Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) at the heart of Sandakan to enable people to pay their utility bills, visit the Road Transport Department (RTD) or National Registration Department (NRD) after office hours.
“I believe the establishment of a UTC will inject vibrancy into the otherwise quiet Sandakan township at night,” he said.
When the time comes, Chin said he, as the BN Sandakan parliamentary division chairman, would recommend a candidate for this parliamentary seat to his party president, Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
“The nominee will certainly be a winnable candidate who is accepted by the local communities,” Chin assured.
Chin said the candidate fielded for Sandakan parliamentary seat does not necessarily have to be a local leader born and raised in the constituency.
“Based on my observations in the past two years, local leaders are not the only ones who are capable of serving the community effectively,” Chin said
Previously, he said the appointment of former member of parliament, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, as the candidate for the Sandakan seat did not sit well with many people. But Liew won the seat and during his tenure, had provided funds to assist the people in Sandakan, particularly the Chinese community, he said.
“Although Liew, as the BN-LDP candidate, was unsuccessful in defending the seat in GE13, he was the only BN parliamentary seat candidate who secured 30 per cent Chinese votes. This proved that the Chinese community in Sandakan still support LDP and BN candidates,” Chin reasoned.
Chin said the main reason BN was defeated in the Sandakan parliamentary constituency in the last election was because the opposition had urged young voters working outside the constituency to return and vote.
“As a result, the voter turnout among the Chinese soared as high as 85 percent, followed by that of bumiputeras at 65 per cent,” Chin explained.
He hoped that in the next general election, young voters who are working outside Sandakan will not be misled by the opposition parties’ tactic of opposing for the sake of opposing.
“These youngsters may no longer stay in Sandakan, but their parents and relatives are still working and living in the constituency. If BN wins, we will have more allocations to do more for the communities in Sandakan,” he said.
Chin admitted that BN is not without its weaknesses or mistakes. However, the opposition parties also have corrupted, irresponsible leaders as well, he said.
“Despite the appearance of a united front, the opposition pact is struggling with internal conflicts and lack of consensus. Each party in the opposition pact has its own agendas. Even if the opposition forms the government in the next general election, are they capable of governing Malaysia effectively?”
On the contrary, he said the interests of the rakyat has always been the prime concern of BN.
“Differing opinions are brought to round table discussions where BN component parties negotiate, reach consensus and make joint decisions. This approach is definitely lacking in the opposition coalition. Hence, I hope that the people of Sandakan will give our BN-LDP candidate another chance in GE14 to serve the local community and bring more economic developments to this constituency,” he said.
On a lighter note, Chin thanked the chairmen, Youth Movements, Women Movements and members of the six LDP divisions in Sandakan for their undivided support and cooperation that has enabled him to perform his duty as the BN Sandakan parliamentary leader for the past two years.
He also expressed gratitude to his two assistants, namely, Datuk Lim Ming Hoo and Nancy Lim for serving the rakyat in the constituency.
“Although our party has lost the Sandakan parliamentary seat in the last election, Ming Hoo continues to serve the people here without any directive from the top leadership, sacrificing his personal and family time in the process,” Chin said.
Through years of service, Chin said Ming Hoo had forged good relationship with the people and Chinese community in this constituency.
“I believe any leader who has the desire to be fielded as a candidate for the Sandakan parliamentary seat would have felt threatened by my appointment as chairman of the BN Sandakan parliamentary division. But not Ming Hoo.
“He has never dropped hints of wanting to contest the Sandakan seat. For the past two years, Ming Hoo has been greatly assisting me in establishing rapport with Umno as well as the Chinese and bumiputera communities.”
Chin said Ming Hoo is a role model to all party members, especially to the Youth and Women Movements.
“I believe the hard work and effort Datuk Lim has put in will be recognized and supported by the people in Sandakan,” Chin said.
He also urged the Women Movement members to emulate Nancy’s dedication in serving the people.