Costly for Upko if the wrong choice again
Published on: Friday, February 23, 2018
Penampang: Voters here fear Barisan Nasional's chances are at a disadvantage if it restricts its choice of potential candidate to take on Parti Warisan's Darrel Leiking for the Penampang parliamentary seat to just one choice, instead of casting the net wide.They said although then unknown Darrel won the seat on a PKR ticket because he represented a famous peninsula opposition brand, a miscalculation would mean giving the constituency away to any opposition again, not necessarily Warisan, without much of a fight.Besides, they said Upko would find it difficult to claim the right to represent the seat anymore if it loses again.
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They suggested that consideration be given to Stephen Jimbangan, who secured over 4,000 votes for opposition DAP in the last election. Jimbangan joined Upko in 2013.In the 13th general election, Upko lost the seat when its then president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok was heavily defeated by Darrel who polled a 12,382 majority. Darrel then hopped to Parti Warisan Sabah, taking with him fellow PKR winner for the Moyog state seat, another newcomer, Terence Siambun.Lately, statements have been made by several BN leaders in Penampang expressing confidence that the ruling coalition through Upko will recapture both seats.Thomas Tunal, the spokesman for the concerned group, said the BN leadership needs to do more analysis than just relying on top-down endorsements or intelligence reports.
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"Voters in Penampang are different. They want to have a say on who they want. It can't be just some leaders because of their influence endorse a certain candidate. This would mean it is a decision made by a few. "If they think the candidate is not suitable or was being forced on them, they won't vote for him.
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It's as simple as that."In the last election, Upko lost both seats here. We can't imagine what would become of the party in Penampang if it loses again in the next election. It's a party that represents the indigenous community and to lose again in their heartland will be a tragedy," said Thomas, from Kg Madziang.The group he said also urged the BN leadership to analyse the grassroots support a potential candidate has by consulting directly with voters and tracking his work on the ground.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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