LABUAN: What should have been a straight fight is now a three-cornered affair in the Labuan parliamentary constituency.
Squaring off with Barisan Nasional’s candidate “newbie” Rosman Isli is PKR’s Ibrahim Menudin and PAS Hadnan Mohamad.
It is probably the only seat where Pakatan Rakyat partners PKR and PAS have not managed to settle their overlapping claim.
PAS has had an eye on the seat for a long time. At one point it had to fend off DAP but when it was made clear that Pakatan central leadership had endorsed PAS candidacy in all three federal territory seats – Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan – way back in 2011, DAP backed down.
But PKR has been dogged in its claim.
This morning, Rosman, accompanied by almost 1,000 supporters, arrived at the Labuan Matriculation College to submit his nomination papers.
His proposer was Labuan Umno acting chief Senator Yunus Kurus and seconder, Labuan Umno vice-head Bashir Alias.
In the 2008 general election, BN’s Yussof Mahal won with a majority of 8,457 votes.
It was the best-ever victory for BN in a three-cornered fight with PAS and an Independent candidate.
Corporate sector
Speculations were rife that Labuan will once again see a multi-cornered fight with Sabah State Reform Party (STAR) and Independents joining the fray.
But at the close of nominations only the three candidates – Rosman, Ibrahim and Hadnan – have filed their papers. Their candidacies were confirmed by returning officer Mistirine Radin.
Earllier, Ibrahim and Hadnan submitted their nomination papers will less fanfare.
Ibrahim, one of PKR new recruits from the corporate sector, was a former Sabah Umno treasurer. He is also set to contest in the Bogowan state seat in the Kimanis parliamentary constituency.
He told Star Online that both PKR and PAS could not come to a compromise over the seat.
“There is no compromise, we are fighting each other. We cannot withdraw since we have already filed our nomination papers and if we withdraw, we will lose our deposit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rosman said he was unfazed by the experience of his opponents but would not take their strength lightly.
“The majority of the voters are familiar with BN’s credibility and competence to govern the country. BN has a track record in Labuan and has been working on the ground for a long time.
“What is important now is to ensure continuity of development of the island and we must ensure a victory with a big mandate from the people,” he said.
Although BN has a strong presence here, PKR is expected to have a fighting chance.
The 13th general election is on May 5.
DOES NOT LABUAN BELONG TO SABAH?
ReplyDelete