Quote: “Whatever it is, it really boils down to the voter turnout, including the new voters and Undi18.”
KUCHING: Stampin was the most keenly watched parliamentary seat in last general election in 2018 as it was witnessing ‘Clash of the Chiefs’ between the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong, who was then the three-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Bandar Kuching decided not to defend his seat and moved to Stampin in the 14th general election (GE14).
He described his move as “risking his political life” by contesting in Stampin, which was considered a grey area for the opposition, following a re-delineation exercise. It was a risk worth taking when he defeated Dr Sim, with a majority of 14,221 votes in a straight fight.
However, can he retain the seat for the second term this time around? He is now facing two challengers; including GPS candidate Lo Khere Chiang and Lue Cheng Hing of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).
Numerous reports and analysts predicted that DAP can retain Stampin, while GPS chairman and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has also said that the SUPP must “put more efforts” in order to wrest the seat.
However, political analyst Professor Dr Novel Lyndon opines that it would be 50-50 chance of winning the seat for both Lo and Chong now, after the two-week of campaigning.
“It’s 50-50 (chance) now.
“It is no longer a ‘sure win’ for DAP as the GPS candidate is doing quite well – not only during the election time – but he has proven himself and delivered excellent services as the Padawan Municipal Council chairman (since 2010),” he said.
Apart from that, Lo is an engineer by profession and also a two-term Batu Kitang assemblyman.
“Thus, the voters, including the Bumiputera communities in the sub-urban constituency think he is a good candidate,” he said when contacted.
Novel said the opposition would also be facing an uphill battle to retain Mas Gading, the first and only Dayak seat held by the DAP in Sarawak – due to its incumbent Mordi Bimol’s poor performance and apparent lack of achievement.
Based on the sentiment on the ground, he said, DAP may be able to retain Bandar Kuching, Lanang and perhaps Sibu and Sarikei.
“But then again, another question would be – can this sentiment translate into vote?”
On whether the 12th Sarawak state election’s result in December last year can be used to measure or determine the outcome of the GE15, Novel felt that it was not really relevant as the sentiment and issues are different.
“We focus on state issues during state elections and not state versus federal; but a general election is about power sharing between state and federal,” he added.
The political analyst added that the voter turnout tomorrow is also crucial in determining who and which party will win.
“Whatever it is, it really boils down to the voter turnout, including the new voters and Undi18,” he said, adding that 75 per cent turnout would be ideal to determine the real situation and support on the ground.
