Two opposition candidates in Tanjong Datu by-election set to lose deposit - analysts

Barisan Nasional's dominance in the Tanjong Datu state by-election's campaign has given early signs that the two opposition candidates will lose their deposit money, according to political analysts.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) senior lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Jeniri Amir said this was because the opposition votes would be split, hence causing the two opposition candidates to lose their deposit money.

BN's candidate Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, the widow of the late Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Adenan Satem, is being challenged by New Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak's (PBDS) candidate Raphaelson Richard Hamit and the Sarawak Reform Party's (Star) Johnny Aput.

According to Jeniri, the two opposition candidates did not pose serious threats to BN, probably due to lack of funds to campaign.

"Besides, the issues that they raised were irrelevant in this by-election and they know that it is impossible for them to win," Jeniri told Bernama.

Jeniri also said the announcement of the RM129 million tap water supply project for the Tanjong Datu and Tasik Biru constituencies by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, as well as more than 800 projects worth RM1.3 billion in Tanjong Datu announced by Adenan before this, would also influence the people to vote for BN.

"To me, BN will win the seat because the participation of the opposition parties is merely to enliven democracy...right from the beginning, we know that their chance of winning is very slim.

"At the same time, there are sentiments of sympathy, good memories (of Adenan) and how his widow is representing him...these sentiments will surely be interpreted in the votes," he said.

However, he said, the BN machinery should not be complacent because even though the opposition did not put up posters, their election machinery were moving quietly from house to house.

He added that in any election which was based on sympathy, previous and present records would help.

However, Jeniri said it was impossible for the Election Commission (EC) to achieve the 75 percent voter turnout for the by-election.

"The percentage target by the EC is too high to be achieved in a by-election," he said.

Jeniri said the BN machinery must increase its momentum during the remaining five campaigning days (until midnight Feb 17), while the mass media, including the social media, must play their roles in urging the voters to cast their votes on Feb 18.

Meanwhile, another Unimas senior lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Ahi Sarok was also convinced that the two opposition candidates would lose their deposit money.

"Both of them hail from outside Lundu, namely from the Serian district, and surely they will not get the support of voters in Tanjong Datu.

"The Tanjong Datu seat is a BN's stronghold and the BN candidate will get the sympathy vote, while the visits by federal ministers will definitely influence the voters to vote for the BN's candidate," he said. -- Bernama