Political hopefuls begin campaign at Gaya Street Fair

(From left) Christina, Chin Shu Ying and Chin Shu Phin during their walkabout at the Gaya Street Fair.

KOTA KINABALU: The weekly Sunday Gaya Street Fair in the heart of the City here is a popular shopping hunting ground for tourists and local residents in and around the state capital.

Yesterday, shoppers were joined by political leaders, members and candidates as all political parties contesting in the 13th general election started going on the hustings soon after the conclusion of nomination on Saturday for the next 15 days until polling day on May 5.

Leaders, candidates and campaigners from the BN’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and opposition parties, SAPP, DAP and PKR exchanged gestures and shook hands with shoppers and stall operators as they wound their way through the crowd.

They also distributed leaflets and pamphlets containing their respective parties’ manifestos, among other things.

 

 

Yong (left) shaking hands with Chin Shu Ying (centre) as other leaders from both sides look on when they bumped into each other.

Leaders from both the political divide and contesting candidates set aside politics for a while when they bumped into each other as they exchanged greetings and banters.

The BN group was led LDP deputy president Datuk Chin Shu Phin and Youth chief Chin Shu Ying, who is contesting in the election for the first time as the candidate for the Likas state seat.

The SAPP group was headed by its president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who is making a comeback in a bid to win his traditional Likas state seat. With him were the party’s other candidates, Melanie Chia (Luyang), Wong Yit Ming (Api-Api), Datuk Richard Yong (Tanjong Aru) and Chong Pit Fah (Kepayan).

SAPP won the Likas seat in the 2008 general election under BN ticket through party deputy president Datuk Liew Teck Chan. SAPP became the opposition after it quit the BN coalition several months after the last general election.

Liew opted not to contest this time around and Yong took up the task of defending the seat. He is involved in a four-cornered fight with Chin of BN, Wong Hong Jun (DAP) and Ho Cheong Tshun, who are all making their debut in this coming general election.

Melanie was re-nominated to defend the Luyang state seat, this time facing Sabah DAP adviser Hiew King Cheu, who shifted from the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat he won with a slim majority in 2008, Sabah MCA women’s chief and ex-senator Datuk Agnes Shim (BN-MCA) and STAR’s debutant Jafery Jomion.

Wong is involved in a tough five-cornered fight with BN incumbent Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, who is defending the seat, Dr Felix Chong Kat Fah (STAR), PKR Kota Kinabalu division head Christina Liew, who lost to Dr Yee in 2008, and independent Marcel Jude Joseph.

Richard, who is SAPP secretary-general, is contesting the Tanjong Aru state seat. He is facing BN incumbent Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah from PBS, Salleh Tiasi @ Tiseh (STAR) and Hamid Ismail (PAS).

For the Kepayan state seat, Chong is challenging BN incumbent cum Sabah MCA chief Datuk Edward Khoo. Also in the fray are Sabah DAP secretary Dr Edwin Bosi and Philip Among @ Daniel Dell Fidelis (STAR).

The PKR group was led by Christina and the DAP entourage was headed by Jun Wong who is also vying for the state seat of Likas.

Source : Borneo Post