The Malaysian Insight

SABAH Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal hopes to put an end to Pakatan Harapan’s losing streak in the Sandakan by-election next month. 

He admitted that retaining the federal seat will not be easy, given that the sentiments are not favouring PH in the Peninsular Malaysia, but he promised to give it his best shot.

“We will give our best… I know it will not be easy to make the Sandakan voters support us due to the sentiments. 

“I realise there are many things to be done and to be closer to the voters in Sandakan, but we must be able to explain all the issues to them. 

“We must let them know that the mounting national debt and volatile economy were created by the past government, and that it is the new government that is trying to clear up the mess,” he said after launching the Textile Craft Festival in Kota Kinabalu today. 

PH had lost in three previous by-elections – in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and the latest in Rantau yesterday.  

Critics have blamed failed policies and PH’s failure to deal with the daily issues affecting all Malaysians, such as the rising cost of living. 

Shafie said it will take a bit of time to explain all these problems to Sandakan voters but noted that the momentum in Sabah and the peninsula are different.   

The Sandakan parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of its lawmaker Stephen Wong Tien Fatt on March 28. He reportedly died from heart attack at the age of 64. He was the Sabah health and people’s wellbeing minister.

The Election Commission set the by-election date on May 11 while nomination will be held on April 27. – April 14, 2019.