KUCHING: Whether it will be a walkover in Tanjong Datu for state BN in the upcoming by-election depends on the outcome of the state PKR meeting tomorrow.
State PKR chief Baru Bian said state PKR will meet to decide whether it will contest in the Tanjong Datu by-election.
He said PKR has many potential candidates for the constituency.
“We have many candidates who can stand there. The previous candidate for Tanjong Datu is still available. The primary question is whether we are standing,” Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, told The Borneo Post.
Among the opposition coalition, Tanjong Datu has been allocated to PKR. In the May 7 state election, PKR fielded Jazolkipli Numan to face the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in Tanjong Datu. Jazolkipli garnered 468 votes against Adenan’s 6,360 votes.
Following Adenan’s passing on Jan 11, a by-election has been called by the Election Commission and Feb 4 has been set as nomination day and polling will be on Feb 18.
On the meeting, Baru said: “It is the official process for the state (PKR) leaders to meet and make a decision in accordance with the requirements.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) senior lecturer Dr Jeniri Amir when contacted did not discount the high possibility of a walkover by state BN.
He said a walkover for state BN would not be extraordinary, given the love and respect the local people have for Adenan.
“If state PKR really respects Adenan Satem, the party should not send any candidate to contest in the upcoming Tanjong Datu by-election.
“It is my strong belief that PKR will lose its deposit if the party were to contest, just like the May 7 state election. This is because of the sentiments on the ground where the people are still grieving for the late Adenan.
“And furthermore, even if they were to field a candidate, the chances of winning will be very slim,” said Jeniri.
Jeniri said the state election and the imminent by-election were totally two different scenarios.
“For the state election, the opposition must contest in every seat. But this by-election is a different scenario especially when the sentiment on the ground is still very much for the late Adenan,” pointed out Jeniri.