The Malaysian Insight

POLLS watchdog Bersih is disappointed that two Sandakan by-election candidates, Vivian Wong and Linda Tsen, have decided not to take part in its forum on May 6.

The state chapter of Bersih said that while it had sent out invitations to all the candidates, only the three independent candidates agreed to take part in the forum.

The forum will be a venue for all the candidates to express their future plans for the district.

The three independent candidates are former Sabah Amanah chairman Hamzah Abdullah, local activists Chew Siew Yong and a former Sandakan parliamentary office administration officer Sulaiman Abdul Samat.

“DAP’s Wong and Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Tsen will not make themselves present due to their packed and fixed schedules,” said Sabah Bersih in a statement today.

The movement also said the forum was to promote freedom of speech and democracy in Malaysia, and provide a platform for the candidates to share their vision for Sandakan.

The Sandakan by-election forum will be held on May 6 at 10am at Hotel Labuk, near Bandar Labuk Jaya, Sandakan.

The forum is open to the public.

The Sandakan federal seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Stephen Wong Thien Fatt.

The Election Commission has set May 7 and May 11 as the early voting and polling day. – May 5, 2019.