DAP’s Vivian wins with a thumping majority
SANDAKAN: Democratic Action Party (DAP) candidate Vivian Wong Shir Yee broke her father’s record when she garnered an even higher majority than the last election, with 11,521 majority, despite lower turnouts this time.
In the 14th general election, the late Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt won with a majority of 10,098 in a two-cornered fight, with a total of 19,094 votes.
Vivian, who garnered 16,012 votes, is now the youngest female Malaysian member of parliament in the history of the country, after she defeated Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) candidate Datuk Linda Tsen Thau Lin, who garnered 4,491 votes.
All three independent candidates, Hamzah Abdullah (788 votes), Chia Siew Yung (178 votes) and Sulaiman Abdul Samad (126 votes) lost their deposit of RM10,000 for failing to get at least five percent votes.
The election recorded 54.4 percent voter turnout, with 234 spoilt ballots.
Vivian now gets to continue her father’s legacy as she wanted in Sandakan. She was seen holding back her tears when she said part of her felt sad that her father was not there with her.
“The first thing I will do tomorrow morning is to visit my father’s grave,” she said.
She said she was thankful to her father for building a good foundation for DAP in Sandakan.
“I did not expect such a high majority. I tried my best, did my best. I am thankful to the people of Sandakan for their support not just to me, but to our party DAP and Pakatan Harapan (PH). I want to thank the voters who are mostly also my father’s voters; thank them for trusting his (Stephen Wong) daughter, that I would be able to do a good job just as my father,¡Åshe said.
Vivian said after two weeks of campaigning, she found that the toughest process physically was when climbing up stairs in flats, and the least friendly place was Sim-Sim as she opined that the villagers there were not familiar with her.
Vivian was at DAP election announcement gathering in front of DAP Sandakan office at Bandar Letat Mile 3 here when the unofficial result was announced.
Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the scene since 6 pm, anxiously waiting for the vote counts.
During her campaigning period, Vivian had often told the people that she wanted to continue her father’s legacy, unfinished tasks, and achieve Stephen’s mission and vision for Sandakan.
Vivian’s father, former Sandakan member of parliament cum DAP Sabah chairman and Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing, passed away on March 28, thus making way for the by-election to take place.
At a press conference held after the official announcement made by returning officer Haji Hamsan Awang Supain, Vivian thanked all those who had helped her during her campaigning period, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and DAP leaders.
She said she believed they would continue helping her in the next four years.
The official announcement was made at SJK (C) Tiong Hua ballot counting centre, at about 9.35pm.
Vivian was also accompanied by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, and her mother Datin Theresa Chong.
The Sandakan parliamentary constituency comprised the state seats of Elopura and Tanjong Papat with 40,218 registered voters of which 50.30% are Chinese and 45.71% Muslim Bumiputeras. Sandakan by-election results 1. Hamza Bin Abdullah@ Hamzah
(IND)788 2. Sulaiman Bin Abdul Samad (IND)126 3. Vivian Wong Shir Yee (DAP)16,012 4. Chia Siew Yung (IND)178 5. Tsen Thau Lin (PBS)4,491 Votes Cast21,595 Percentage54.44 % Rejected votes234 Ballots not returned18 Majority11,521 Incumbent: Stephen Wong Tien Fatt (DAP) Votes polled: - 19,094 Majority : 10,098