BN scores coup with widow as Batu Sapi candidate

As expected, Barisan Nasional (BN) today announced as its candidate for the Batu Sapi by-election in Sabah, Linda Tsen Thau Lin, the 54-year-old widow of the late Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah.

The announcement, made by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the Sandakan Community Hall here this afternoon, comes as no surprise for talk has been rife that the widow would be used as BN’s trump card to secure a victory in the seat.

Tsen’s candidacy will also be a coup for BN because of the popularity of her late husband, whose death two weeks ago from a road accident triggered the by-election.

Her campaign to replace her husband will rely on the emotional attachment many in the constituency had for Chong, an MP with strong ties within the community.

Even her strongest rival, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, is close to her family.

The 52-year-old Yong, who is the state’s former Chief Minister, is also running for the seat, in move that is said to be a huge political gamble for SAPP’s survival.

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insider quoted Sandakan MP Datuk VK Liew as pointing out the advantages of a Tsen candidacy.

He said it would be a difficult fight for the SAPP, pointing out that candidate, Yong, was a good friend to Chong and his family, including his wife Tsen.

“Edmund was everybody’s good friend. Such a nice man, so friendly, and also a very good friend of mine. It was a tragedy that caused him to pass away and I think people still remember that,” he said.

Liew had also said that Tsen was an appropriate choice, not merely because of her marriage to the popular Chong, but also because she was a qualified politician herself.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Tsen is herself a Wanita deputy divisional chairman for Elopura in Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), BN’s Sabah-based partner.

“So it is not like she is not into PBS politics. She is an insider and a good candidate herself. She is not an unknown and she is qualified,” he said.

In naming her today as BN’s choice, Musa described Tsen as a capable woman who would serve Batu Sapi well.

“It is now time for all Barisan component parties to work together to ensure victory,” he said.

Tsen and Chong have four children — daughters Jamie Chong Sing Yi, 23; Charlene Chong Tze Yi, 20; and Steffi Chong Han Yi, 18; and son, Douglas Chong Zheng Yi, 13.

The children are expected to be part of the campaign to have their mother replace their father as federal lawmaker.

Chong, who was the PBS treasurer general, had been a two-term MP for Batu Sapi.

With the announcement of Tsen’s candidacy, the stage has been set for a three-way fight among Tsen, Yong and PKR candidate, Ansari Abdullah whose candidacy was announced by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently in Sandakan.

It is said, however, that PKR’s entry into the race would make little impact in the by-election.

Batu Sapi has 25,582 voters, including 1,535 postal voters.

The constituency near Sandakan comprises 59 per cent or 15,099 Muslim Bumiputera; 38 per cent or 9,737 Chinese; 2.69 per cent or 689 non-Muslim Bumiputera; and 0.22 per cent or 57 others.

Chong had won the seat with a 3,708-vote majority over independent Chung On Wing in Elections 2008.

Nominations for the November 4 by-election will be held at the Sandakan community centre here on Tuesday.

The Galas by-election has also been set for the same days.

Of the past 11 by-elections held in Malaysia since 2008, BN has only won in three seats – Batang Ai, Bagan Pinang and Hulu Selangor.



comments


If its pure sentiment, why not appoint Rosmah to contest in Batu Sapi. It will complete the malay proverb of "Lembu punya susu sapi dapat nama" . Finally UMNO will be crown the First Lady offically.