KOTA KINABALU – The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has joined Umno and Parti Cinta Sabah in sitting out the Batu Sapi by-election, said its polls director today.
Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat told The Vibes that LDP made the decision in view of the Covid-19 outbreak in Sabah.
“We will not join.”
The seat fell vacant following the death of MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong of Parti Warisan Sabah on October 2.
The Election Commission (EC) today announced that the by-election will be held on December 5, with nomination fixed for November 23.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said contesting parties can open just one command centre, and that campaigns are to be conducted online only.
United Sabah National Organisation president Ibrahim Linggam said the party will decide at an October 21 meeting whether to contest.
Sources from Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah said their parties have yet to decide, but indicated that they will likely not contest due to the state’s worsening coronavirus situation.
All eyes will be on Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), which lost Batu Sapi to Warisan in the 2018 general election after holding the seat since 2004.
The late Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah held the seat for PBS from 2004 to 2010, when he died in a motorcycle crash.
His wife, Tsen Thau Lin, then won the constituency’s by-election, and was MP until her defeat to Liew in 2018.
PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the party council will deliberate on whether to stand in the upcoming by-election.
PBS is part of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, the alliance that won the September 26 state election. – The Vibes, October 13, 2020
