Linda Tsen's Splendid Victory A Pleasant Surprise For PBS

SANDAKAN, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The Batu Sapi by-election result which saw Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Wanita vice-chief Datin Linda Tsen trouncing two seasoned male politicians is a pleasant surprise and historic moment for the party, said PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the splendid win elevated further the status of women in Sabah when Tsen became the first female Member of Parliament for the party.

"Tsen will now add to the number of women representatives in Parliament, thus giving more voice to women in our country's highest decision-making body," said Ongkili, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, on Friday.

Tsen, who was chosen by Barisan Nasional (BN) to contest the parliamentary seat following the death of her husband Datuk Edmund Chong, garnered 6,359 majority votes, double that previously obtained by her late husband.

She received 9,773 votes to defeat PKR's Ansari Abdullah who obtained 3,414 votes, while SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee only managed 2,031 votes.

Ansari is a familiar figure in Sabah politics and had contested a number of times under the PKR banner, while Yong was once Sabah chief minister during the rotation system in the 1990s.

Ongkili said the Batu Sapi by-election result showed that the people were confident of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's aspirations for the nation.

"The people's decision to vote for BN shows that they are confident with Najib and the BN government in taking care of the nation and the interests of the people.

"The victory also shows the people are satisfied with the prime minister's initiatives such as the Government Transformation Programme, National Key Result Areas, National Key Economic Areas and Economic Transformation Programme. The people know all these programmes will benefit them."

Ongkili said with the massive endorsement Tsen received from voters, she now had the golden opportunity to serve the people well as their MP.

"We are confident that the goal of achieving greater development for the people will be achieved with the strong support given by the people.

"The election shows that the BN machinery is formidable, where there is total cooperation from all component parties against a common political enemy," he said.

On behalf of PBS, Ongkili expressed thanks and gratitude to all BN component parties which worked hard to ensure a massive victory, especially state BN chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman and the Batu Sapi voters who delivered the victory.

"The guidance and support of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was instrumental in ensuring a cohesive and sure-win election machinery," he said.

He hoped the people would continue to support programmes implemented by BN and PBS that would help improve their livelihood.