SANDAKAN:
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is confident that the cooperation forged among the Barisan Nasional (BN) components will bring a big victory to them in Saturday’s elections. Its president, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, said that since the nomination nine days ago, the LDP candidates fielded for three state seats — Karamunting, Tanjong Kapor and Merotai — had received good cooperation from all other BN components. “This is a factor the opposition does not have and because of this, I am sure the BN will excel in the elections this time,” he said here yesterday. Liew who is contesting for the Sandakan parliamentary seat, said he too received good cooperation from other BN components especially Umno, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Bersatu Sabah, MCA and MIC throughout the campaign. “Therefore, my hope to win the Sandakan parliamentary is very bright because I receive a solid support from all BN components and the continued BN spirit shown in the constituency,” he said. In the 2004 general election, Sandakan was the only parliamentary constituency in Sabah the BN failed to capture after it lost to independent Chong Hon Min. In Saturday’s election, Liew ‘ s opponents are Chong Chui Lin (DAP) and Fong Vun Fui (independent). Liew also said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman have big visions to develop Sabah, in particular Sandakan, and the people should not miss the boat to bring prosperity to their town. “Both leaders have plans to bring development and progress to the State, particularly Sandakan through the Sabah Development Corridor and Ninth Malaysia Plan in which we are looking at least RM250 billion in allocations to be provided to Sabah,” he said. “The opposition will hamper the process of development in Sandakan. However with the Barisan Nasional this will be a different scenario and if the voters give me the mandate this Saturday, I will prove to them I can work together with other Barisan Nasional elected representatives for the betterment of Sandakan, he added. Liew pointed out that if all the BN candidates in Sandakan win this can make the channelling of funds easier and hasten the pace of development for the benefit of the people. “With a Chief Minister and a Deputy Chief Minister from Sandakan, if elected I can play an effective role in Parliament to seek development funds for Sandakan. “The people of Sandakan must seize this opportunity and give their support to ensure victory for all the Barisan Nasional candidates in Sandakan. Being the president of LDP, if I become the member of parliament, I can have access to Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and work together with him to bring development to Sandakan,” he said. Meanwhile, Liew described DAP candidate Chong Chui Lin Shanty as a ‘political tourist’ as she had lost in the previous election contesting under the Bersekutu banner in Tawau. “Now she wants to try her luck again in Sandakan. What can she do to help to resolve the problems affecting the people of Sandakan?” he asked. On the issue of him being labelled as an outsider, Liew said he considers Sandakan as his hometown because his late father resided here for years before moving to Kota Kinabalu. “I still have relatives living in Sandakan. I maintain an office here and made regular trips to work on my cases before becoming a candidate,” he said.
