In the 2004 general elections, Malaysia ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) lost the `a sure win' Sandakan parliamentary seat. BN represented by then Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) incumbent Datuk Lau Ngan Siew lost to a loner Chong Hon Ming. Talks then was that Hon Ming was supported by Datuk Yong Teck Lee's Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP, a member of BN.
Now that the general elections is just `around the corner' LDP is lobbying to get back to contest the seat. SAPP has also openly voiced its interest in the seat and like LDP, is confident to be given Sandakan. Independent Chong had also openly declared his intention to join SAPP.
With all these put together, LDP is now openly accusing SAPP of having betrayed BN-SAPP in the 2004 elections.
My Say:
It is normal to lobby for seats to contest in any elections. This is just the beginning.
Althoughh both SAPP and LDP are multi-racial parties, they are Chinese-based and are getting the attention of higher-up to increase the number of seats in the urban areas to contest in the elections.
The Kadazandusun-based cum multi racial parties Parti Bersatu Sabah headed by Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organisation led by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup's Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah are also lobbying to get more seats to contest this time around.
A failure to reach compromise in the allocation of seats will see more Independents contesting and winning in the elections. I am not a bit surprise, this is Sabah politics.
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