Sandakan by-election: DAP, PBS and three independents eye the seat
SANDAKAN: DAP’s Vivian Wong Shir Yee will attempt to defend the Sandakan seat, formerly held by her father against PBS candidate Linda Tsen Thau Lin and three independents – Hamzah Abdullah, Chia Siew Yong and Sulaiman Abdul Samad.
Nominations for the polls was filed at SMJK Tiong Hua, Sandakan.
The 30 year Wong is the daughter of the late Stephen Wong who held the seat.
Linda Tsen Thau Lin,63, is the former two term Batu Sapi MP and current PBS vice president. Hamzah, 65, is former Sabah Amanah and PAS chief.
Sulaiman is a former administrative assistant who worked with Stephen Wong. Chia, 46, is a political novice working in the palm oil industry and has an NGO.
Sandakan has about 40,000 voters, comprised 51% Chinese and 45% Muslim bumiputras, including Bajaus, Suluks and Sungei.
The rest of the electorate made up of Kadazandusun communities and others.
The by-election was triggered after two-term incumbent Stephen died of a heart attack following a hike on March 28.
In GE14, Stephen won the seat with a 10,098-vote majority.
