Lo Khere Chiang in an unexpected five corner fight in new seat Batu Kitang

It was an unexpected five corner fights in new seat Batu Kitang as everyone expected it to be a straight fight between  Barisan Nasional, Lo Khere Chiang vesus Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Voon Shiak Ni.

The two went into the nomination first, Lo with his proposal, Tan Joo Phio and seconder, Lim Lian Kee. Voon’s proposal was Narawi Palayan Miniandi and seconder, Lee Tat Sin.

When an independent candidate, Sulaiman Kadir walked in with his proposal, Tenu Kipli and seconder, Haron Sri, no one bat an eyelid until Democratic Action Party (DAP), Abdul Aziz Isa walked in at about 9.05 am, an unpleasant surprise to Voon. His proposal was Ting Kee Kai and seconder Lim Pai Lin.

About half an hour later, an independent who called himself a pro BN, Dato’ Sri Othman bin Bojeng came hurriedly in with his proposal, Zamahari bin Kopon and seconder, Jolhi bin July.

Although Batu Kitang a new seat craved out from Batu Lintang and Sentosa, it was expected to be a 50/50 chance of winning for both sides. DAP had claimed it to be their winnable seat due to a number of his supporters being transferred there due to the alienation of new seats. They gave up the seat to Voon in exchange for rural seats.

Aziz had earlier on hid in the car waiting for words from his superior to go into the nomination centre once they confirmed that PKR candidates had gone into the DAP announced seat.

At the 11^th hour both DAP and PKR held press conferences on Sunday accusing one another of overlapping in their seats which was earlier on agreed by the national leaders.

Padawan Chairman, Lo expressed surprised that his seat was hotly contested. He said even though now the seat is crowded, he is not letting his guard down. “I will continue to work hard for the Batu Kitang people,” he added saying he enjoyed his hard work and believed that he could do a lot for the people through the Barisan Nasional.

Nomination which was closed at 10 am was delayed until 11.30 am due to a discrepancies in Voon’s proposer, Narawi. However, Narawi was cleared of any wrong doing.

Returning officer at the Padawan Municipal council, Elizabeth Law announced the names of the candidate at about noon.

Batu Kitang which has 60 percent of Chinese residents has a total of 17,494 registered voters.

suppadmin | April 26, 2016