BN TO NAME CANDIDATE THIS SUNDAY

19th October, 2010
 

KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional will announce the candidate for the Batu Sapi by-election in Sandakan this Sunday.The Election Commission has fixed October 24 for nomination while polling is on November 4.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said he, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and other BN leaders would meet to announce the candidate at 2pm.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with State BN component party leaders at Sri Gaya here yesterday, Musa who would be the by-election’s director of operations, said BN leaders have agreed to leave it to PBS to decide on the choice of candidate for the by-election. He added that the proposed name would then be forwarded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the national BN chairman for approval.

There is no indication yet as to who would be fielded. On Sunday Pairin who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, disclosed that the seat would be retained under the Chinese quota and the candidate would be from Sandakan. Meanwhile, Musa said the State BN was confident of retaining the Batu Sapi seat based on the coalition’s unblemished and long record of excellent services.

“We are also confident the people will continue to give their support, especially with their response and acceptance of the 1Malaysia concept. 

“BN leaders always go to the ground and get closer to the people, and to give their best services to them regardless of their religious and racial backgrounds,” he said.

The Chief Minister however, pointed out that BN must not be complacent and take things for granted.

Through unity and consensus among all component parties, he said, the state BN machinery would be mobilised to secure the support of the voters and ensure victory in Batu Sapi. And, Musa also said even though he and Sabah Umno leaders would be attending the party’s General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur this week, the Umno election machinery had been mobilised “and we will work with other component parties to assist PBS in the by-election”. Asked to comment on other contenders such as the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) which had announced it would contest in the by-election, the Chief Minister said: “It is up to them if they want to contest. What is important is that we in BN are working together in facing the by-election.”

Also present yesterday were various state BN leaders including Pairin, PBRS president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, LDP president Datuk VK Liew, Sabah MCA chief Datuk Edward Khoo and PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai.

Sources: Sabah Times