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Tuesday, March 16, 2004

Barisan bags four more state and one parliament seats

Update by The Star Newsdesk

BY MUGUNTAN VANAR AND CECIL FUNG

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Bari­san Nasional won four more state and one parliament seat Monday when opposing candidates pulled out, bringing the coalition’s uncontested total tally in Sabah to 16.

Umno's Deputy Chief Minis­ter Datuk Lajim Ukin in Klias, Cabinet minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail (Umno) in Pantai Manis, assistant minister Datuk Surady Kayong (Umno) in Sugut and Datuk Michael Asang (PBS) in Labuk were declared winners yesterday.

The parliamentary seat came from Parti Bersatu Sabah's (PBS) Edmund Chong Ket Wah in Batu Sapi following the withdrawal of Parti Keadilan Nasio­nal's Pengiran Roslan Pg Nasrun at 9.30pm Monday.

This brought the state Barisan's uncontested parliament seats to eight out of 25.


Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail

Of the 60 Sabah state seats, Barisan now has eight.

At the national level, Barisan has won a total of 16 parliamentary and 11 state seats uncontested.

At the close of nominations on Saturday, Barisan's Umno took six parliament and two state seats.

Sabah Progressive Party won a parliament and a state seat while PBS returned one state seat unopposed.

Lajim's lone challenger from Parti Setia, Matlani Sabli, withdrew his candidacy to give Lajim a seventh term while Rahim won in Pantai Manis when his two challengers, Bersekutu candidate Mohd Ishak Laimudin and Indepen­dent Mohd Hashim Yusuf withdrew.


Datuk Michael Asang

Surady got himself a third term when his challenger, Independent Haji Wahid pulled out while PBS Labuk strongman retained the seat, also for a third term, when his challen­ger, independent Yusof Apok, opted out.

"I think Sabli believes that Barisan is the best party to represent the people of Klias. That's why he withdrew," said Lajim, who intends to help other Barisan candidates who are contesting.

When contacted yesterday, Rahim said that his Bersekutu opponent had told him that he withdrew because no funds were coming in from the party headquarters to continue the fight.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman on Sunday night denied allegations that Barisan opponents were being bought and said: "They (opponents) realise that it is not worthwhile to challenge Barisan as the people are fully behind us."

Despite the early lead, Sabah Barisan leaders expect tough fights ahead in at least a dozen state and parliamentary seats.

For more news on the elections click here

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