Tanjong Datu by-election: BN wins by even bigger majority

Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the Tanjong Datu state seat at today's by-election with a bigger majority.

BN candidate Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu defeated Sarawak Reform Party's (STAR) Johnny Aput and Rapelson Richard Hamit from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru, with a majority of 6,443 votes.

She polled 6,573 votes, while Johnny Aput managed only 108 votes and Rapelson with 130 votes. Both her opponents lost their deposits.

The results were announced by Returning Officer Hamsein Atar at the Lundu Community Hall at 7.50pm today.

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyman, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was also Sarawak's fifth Chief Minister, due to heart complications on Jan 11. He was 72.

To continue with Adenan's legacy for the people of Tanjong Datu, the BN had fielded his wife Jamilah as its candidate.

Today, the 61-year-old won the seat in style with 551 votes more than the majority obtained by Adenan.

In the last Sarawak state election held on May 11 last year, Adenan defeated PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan with a majority of 5,892 votes. He obtained 6,360 votes, while Jazolkipli only managed 468 votes.

This time around, PKR had earlier on announced that it would not contest the by-election out of respect for Adenan.

The bigger majority obtained by Jamilah speaks volumes of the faith that the constituents have in her and the fact they want her to continue her husband's legacy.

Her winning had clearly fulfilled the hopes of BN and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu leaders such as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak; his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and several others.

Commenting on her landslide victory, Najib said Jamilah was the best person to continue the legacy left by Adenan and bring more progress and development to the constituency.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference at Jamilah's 'Damai Jaya' residence in Santubong, Abang Johari said the winning was beyond expectations and a very sweet victory because BN's objective to have the two opposition candidates in the fray to lose their deposits was met.

He also regarded the victory as the people's 'endorsement' towards Adenan's services and struggles.

Jamilah did not join the campaign for the by-election as she was still observing the 'edah' (mourning) period and relied on her children and the BN election machinery.

In her open letter to the voters in the constituency on Thursday, Jamilah said she was determined to take up her responsibilities as their elected representative.

Jamilah, who was at her residence when the result was announced, said she would definitely go down to the ground to meet the people and work hard to ensure that all promises made during the campaign are fulfilled, once her 'edah' period was over.

Jamilah, who was pleased with her landslide win, said it was a gift to commemorate her 37th wedding anniversary, which falls on Feb 14, and also Adenan's birthday last Jan 27.

She thanked the voters in Tanjong Datu for electing her to continue the legacy left by her late husband.

Azizul Annuar, her youngest child, said the appreciation and gratitude of the constituents in Tanjong Datu for his late father was reflected in today's winning.

He also promised to go down to the ground to help his mother to look into the welfare of her constituents. -- Bernama