KOTA KINABALU: Fundamental issues will take centre stage in the Sandakan parliamentary by-election on May 11.
The successes and shortcomings of the Pakatan Harapan federal administration will be highlighted as it marks its first year in power since winning the 14th General Election on May 9 last year.
Similarly, the Parti Warisan Sabah-PH-Upko state government, will see its coalition put to the test for the first time in the by-election, with Sabah DAP defending the east coast seat.
Nomination will be held this Saturday to mark the start of a two-week campaign period.
Parti Bersatu Sabah, in the opposition corner for the third time over the last 35 years, appears to be the key challenger for the seat, which has about 40,000 voters, of which half are Chinese and 45 per cent are Muslim bumiputeras.
The frontrunner is Sabah DAP candidate Vivian Wong, the 30-year-old daughter of Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt whose death on Mar 28 paved the way for the by-election.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and DAP secretary-general as well as Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng are expected to announce the candidate in Sandakan on April 25.
For PBS, former Batu Sapi MP Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin is among the early favourites.
Batu Sapi MCA chief Datuk Chew Kok Woh said Sabah DAP would not have it easy despite winning comfortably in the 14th GE.
Wong had obtained 19,094 votes, defeating Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Lim Ming Hoo, who garnered 8,996 votes.
“At the federal level, many promises in the PH manifesto have not been fulfilled.
“PH will need to convince people as they cannot afford to lie.
“If you look in Sandakan, the prices of essentials are high, palm oil prices are down, kidnapping is still a concern, tourism numbers are declining and our fisheries industry too is not as it was before,” he said in contrast to a statement by Lim Guan Eng via the Finance Ministry that the government had approved 49 development projects worth RM2.28 billion for the benefit of the people of Sandakan district.
In the statement, Lim assured that the government would continue to give serious focus on the development of Sandakan district, which is the second largest in Sabah.
“The Sandakan district which comprises the Sandakan, Batu Sapi and Libaran parliamentary constituencies will continue to receive the best facilities from the government.
“This initiative is expected to benefit almost 400,000 residents in Sandakan.
“The Federal Fovernment has allocated sufficient funds for Sandakan district so that its economy will continue to expand to become a viable business centre in Eastern Sabah,” he had said.
Meanwhile, Chew said as BN had decided not to contest in Sandakan, MCA would announce this weekend who it would support in a bid to oust Sabah DAP in the by-election.