PBS activates machinery to defend Batu Sapi

SANDAKAN, Oct 21 (The Daily Express) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has activated its party machinery to defend the Batu Sapi Parliamentary seat in the by-election set for Nov 4 by the Election Commission.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah 10 days ago in a road accident in Kota Kinabalu.

Party Information Chief and Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Johnny Mositun, said the BN was confident of staving off the expected challenge from the opposition based "on the good work that the likeable and grassroots-oriented Chong had done as the Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi."

"Chong was a hardworking MP fully committed to his constituents.

He was a family man, loving parent and untainted by any negative personal or professional issues.

"He vigorously pushed for the quick and effective implementation of development programmes in the constituency," he said, after meeting PBS Division Chiefs and senior party officials in the Karamunting State Constituency which together with the State Constituency of Sekong constitutes the Batu Sapi Parliamentary Constituency.

He said PBS Vice-President Datuk Michael Asang had also held a similar meeting with PBS Division Chiefs and senior party officials in the Sekong State Constituency, and the party machinery had been activated to face the coming by-election.

Other senior PBS leaders like Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Datuk Raden Malleh, Almudin Kaidah, Kong Nyuk Thau (PBS Karamunting Division Chief) and PBS Karamunting Wanita Chief were also on the ground to coordinate the PBS election machinery for the by-election.

"With the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman as BN's Director of Operations for the BN and Federal Cabinet Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili taking charge of the PBS election machinery for this by-election, we are well-prepared to retain the Batu Sapi seat for the BN," he said.

On opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) would contest the by-election Mositun said it was more likely pre-election rhetoric and designed to throw the BN off guard.

"We know that SAPP is also keen to contest in Batu Sapi. DAP also cannot be written off. Whether they are going to field their respective candidates or reach a last-minute compromise to allow for a one-on-one contest against the BN is yet to be seen.

"Either way we are not going to be distracted by speculation.

PBS will stay focused on the real issues of development and issues close to the hearts of the Batu Sapi voters, not partisan sentiments and the personal machinations of power-hungry opposition politicians," Mositun said.

He said there was no doubting Musa's influence and strong support among Umno divisions in Batu Sapi and Sekong.

"The local Umno leaders here have pledged to go all out to support the PBS candidate to keep Batu Sapi in BN hands.

With the majority of voters in the constituency being bumiputera, and the strong support they have always given to Musa and Umno, the opposition will not find it easy going," he said.