PBS to stay out of Batu Sapi by-election

KOTA KINABALU – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has decided it will not participate in the Batu Sapi by-election in light of the worsening Covid-19 situation in Sabah. 

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said it was decided by the party’s political bureau during its recent meeting.

PBS is now the fifth party to opt out of the by-election, following similar decisions by Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).  

Ongkili said public safety and the health conditions of the Sandakan people and Batu Sapi voters should be the foremost consideration at this time.  

“Sabah continues to record the highest number of Covid-19 positive cases in the country. Our numbers hit three digits in the last few days, where on Sunday alone, we recorded 702 new cases. 

“And it was due to the severity of the Covid-19 situation that PBS decided to back out from contesting in our stronghold seat. As a multiracial party, PBS has continued to enjoy a strong following and huge membership in Batu Sapi,” Ongkili said. 

Ongkili, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), said he has informed Perikatan Nasional (PN) President and GRS Chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the party will support and assist any eventual PN candidate and ensure a win in the Batu Sapi by-election. 

With PBS’ decision, all eyes will be on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu). 

Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) has been quiet about the matter, but it's party ally Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has also opted out of the election. 

An independent candidate, Hamzah Abdullah, has confirmed his participation in the by-election.

The Batu Sapi parliamentary seat was declared vacant following the passing of its representative, MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong of Warisan, due to a lung infection on October 2. 

The Election Commission then declared November 23 as nomination day, December 1 for early polls and December 5 for the by-election. –The Vibes, October 20, 2020.