SANDAKAN: The lack of a formidable opposition in Sabah is evident in the just concluded Sandakan parliamentary by-election, as the Democratic Action Party (DAP) coasted to an easy victory.
Although DAP was considered the favourite going into the contest, the landslide win was quite unexpected, as many had anticipated local-based Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) would put up a tough fight against the peninsula-based party.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) academician and political researcher Dr Zaini Othman told New Straits Times that this could only mean one thing, that there is a dearth of credible opposition in the state, post 14th general election.
“Sabah Umno is almost crippled and dying at the moment. Immediately after the nomination process for the by-election, the opposition was literally torn apart.
“They lacked an organised campaign strategy. PBS only came out with a more constructive approach in the later part of the campaigning,” he said.
Zaini said even with the presence of federal opposition figures like Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan and former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak - with his “Bossku” persona - it did little to help PBS win.
As it is, the opposition simply failed miserably to capture the voters on the ground.
“Voters actually want to see a constructive alternative provided by the opposition. Had they been able to do that and portray themselves as formidable, I believe they would be able to give DAP a run for their money.”
“That did not happen. And to me, the “Bossku” persona did not work and was insignificant,” said Zaini.
Noting that PBS has a great political history and legacy in Sabah politics, the party needed to do some soul-searching if they want to make a constructive come back, he said.
PBS must do away with the “old political culture within the party” and start bringing young blood onboard, said Zaini, adding that DAP and its partners within the ruling government knew they could not afford to lose Sandakan.
“Sandakan is their report card and the people’s testimonies to their policies and governance after a year of taking over (from the Barisan Nasional led government).
“Thus, they really pushed and pressed for victory at all costs. The mobilisation of all assets throughout the campaign period reflected this. In other words, they knew they cannot take the Sandakan by-election very lightly,” said Zaini.
The Sandakan by-election was triggered by the death of two-term member of parliament Datuk Stephen Wong on March 28. He was Sabah DAP chairman and state Health and People’s Wellbeing minister.
In the 14th general election, Wong defended his seat with a majority of 10,098 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Lim Ming Hoo (Liberal Democratic Party), who obtained 8,996 votes.
The five-cornered fight in the Sandakan by-election saw Wong’s youngest daughter Vivian Wong Shir Yee of DAP winning with a 11,521-vote majority over her closest rival Datuk Linda Tsen Thau Lin, from PBS. Vivian garnered 16,012 votes, while Linda, who was a two-term Batu Sapi MP, polled 4,491 votes.
As for the three independents, former Pas and Parti Amanah Negara state leader Hamzah Abdullah came in third with 788 votes, followed by oil palm company executive Chia Siew Yung with 178 votes. Sulaiman Abdul Samat, who was a former administrative assistant at the Sandakan Parliamentary Service Centre, obtained 126 votes.