BN fancies its chances in taking back Sibu

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Toh Jack Kuong

SIBU: Recapturing Sibu in the 13th general election ranks high on BN’s list of priorities, and top BN leaders believe this goal is achievable.

Since the BN stronghold fell to the DAP by 398 votes in the 2010 by-election, BN had been working tirelessly to regain lost grounds, and frequent visits by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had made things easier.

The prime minister’s transformational programmes had also created a `feel good’ ambience in Sibu, says some BN leaders.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said recent feedback from various sources in Sibu were positive.

“It is not an impossible target (to win back Sibu). We will work very hard to make sure a resounding victory for BN,” Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities, told The Borneo Post.

PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said DAP had shown that they were only good at ‘barking’.

“When it comes to delivery and actually looking after the people, it is still BN, BN and BN,” said Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

Sibu used to be a BN stronghold, where the late Datuk Robert Lau won it for BN-SUPP, but he passed away on April 9, 2010, due to an illness.

He was then holding the post of Deputy Minister of Transport.

In the ensuing by-election, BN-SUPP candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew lost to state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng. Wong won’t be defending the seat in the upcoming polls as he is being treated for a brain tumour.

Meanwhile, SUPP Sibu Youth chairman Toh Jack Kuong put the chances of wresting back Sibu at 50-50.

“Despite the positive vibes, we must not let our guard down as this could give the opponent a head start. Our supporters too should not rest on their laurel and start to take things for granted.”

PKR Sibu chairman Simon Tiong, who was rebuked by Ho Leng for his interest to contest in the hot seat, begged to differ.

“Voters, especially the younger ones, are more vocal these days and looking for something different. Their needs are more diverse.

“BN would need to dig deep into its resources to turn the table around,” Tiong opined.

The possible presence of an independent candidate might muddy the situation a bit.

A national English daily reported that Narawi Haron, who contested in the Sibu by-election, might try his luck in Lanang, and his son Ahmad Noorhady in Sibu.