The Malaysian Insight

FOUR Sabah opposition parties are in talks to field a single candidate in the Sandakan by-election, to have a better chance at defeating Pakatan Harapan.

It is learnt that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and the state MCA are looking at having one candidate face off with PH’s, who will be from the state DAP.

Solidariti is mulling fielding 50-year-old economist Liew Wean Chee, the party’s Tanjung Papat division chief.

Party sources told The Malaysian Insight that she may contest under the PBS banner.

It was reported that PBS president Dr Maximus Ongkili had expressed the party’s interest in fielding a candidate in the May 11 polls.

PBS had held Batu Sapi, a parliamentary constituency within Sandakan, before losing the seat to Parti Warisan Sabah in the 14th general election.

The Sandakan seat, a DAP stronghold, fell vacant following the death of MP Stephen Wong Tien Fatt due to a heart attack on March 28.

Nomination for the by-election will be on April 27, and early voting on May 7.

PBS and Solidariti are partners in Gabungan Bersatu Sabah. Solidariti also partners SAPP and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah under the loose Gabungan Sabah coalition.

The state MCA is not part of any local pact.

Solidariti president Jeffrey Kitingan confirmed that the party’s top leaders are in talks on the state opposition fielding a single candidate.

“We are looking at fielding a single opposition candidate to take on the state DAP.

“We are studying our best options… not everyone may agree with it, as some parties are just trying to test the waters there.”

SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said he will announce later this week whether the party will stand in the polls.

The state PAS and Umno have opted not to field a candidate of their own, in support of the idea that the opposition fields just one candidate.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which had traditionally held the seat, has announced that it will not field one of its own, in a mark of respect for Wong’s legacy.

So far, three people have offered themselves to be independent candidates: former Sabah Amanah chairman Hamzah Abdullah; former palm oil company manager Chiew Siew Yung; and, activist Jufazli Shi Ahmad, who recently made the headlines for being arrested for making vulgar comments on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. – April 18, 2019.