The Malaysian Insight

SABAH will not bar Najib Razak from visiting Sandakan ahead of the federal seat’s by-election on Saturday.

Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said he has not issued to the state Immigration Department any directive stopping individuals from entering Sabah.

“We won’t stop anyone from coming to Sabah. It is up to them, they have the right to visit.

“I don’t want to hear about people being stopped by the authorities if they do come,” he told reporters during a visit to Pulau Berhala, Sandakan, today.

The former prime minister is scheduled to take his “Malu Apa, Bossku?” campaign to Sandakan tomorrow, in support of Parti Bersatu Sabah’s (PBS) candidate.

State Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin recently confirmed Najib’s visit.

In the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih by-elections earlier this year, Najib helped campaign against Pakatan Harapan even though he no longer holds any leadership post in Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Despite facing 42 corruption, money-laundering and abuse of power charges, he has drawn Malay support after adopting the “Bossku” moniker.

In the Sandakan contest, DAP’s Vivian Wong is representing PH. She is in a five-way battle, with her main rival being PBS’ Linda Tsen, who is former Batu Sapi MP.

The 30-year-old Vivian is daughter to Stephen Wong, whose death triggered the by-election.

Shafie said he is confident that the joint campaign by his Parti Warisan Sabah and PH will lead to wins in the BN strongholds of Kg Sim Sim and Pulau Berhala.

The late Stephen was well-liked in these two fishing villages, he said.

“Many knew Stephen as a leader who did not judge a person by their race or creed. The same goes with his daughter, Vivian.

“She is not only energetic and charismatic, but also has a lot of things in common with the late MP.”

Local observers, however, are of the view that the two villages will not vote for PH following the government’s move to do away with fishermen’s living allowance. – May 9, 2019.