Nomination day for Galas, Batu Sapi

PAS president Hadi and DAP's Kit Siang lead the charge in Galas

Malaysia Chronicle

It is nomination day for the twin by-elections at Galas in Kelantan and Batu Sapi in Sabah. Already, there is an air of festivity in both constituencies, where supporters have been gathering since 7am.

In Galas, where PAS candidate Dr Zulkefli Mohamd is set to challenge Umno’s Abdul Aziz Yusof, there is a festive atmosphere in the small town which has become chock-a-block with traffic.

Both PAS and Umno flags stretch for kilometers from the town centre as the arch rivals stake their claim on the constituency, which is actually a traditional Umno stronghold although the incumbent was from PAS.

The state seat became vacant following the death of Chek Hashim Sulaima who snatched a slim 646-vote victory shock victory for PAS in the 2008 election.

PKR chants Save Sabah, Save Msia, It begins with Batu Sapi

Meanwhile, in Batu Sapi, the atmosphere is no less eager and the air of anticipation is strong. Here, a crowded race of more than 3 contestants is expected.

Small-time independents candidates had been expected to challenge PKR candidate Ansari Abdullah, SAPP strongman Yong Teck and BN PBS’s Linda Tsen for the parliamentary seat. But in the end, only the trio put up forms.

Linda’s late husband Edmund was the incumbent but was killed in a bike crash earlier this month. A thrilling fight can be expected as the 54-year old widow challenges former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee especially for the Chinese votes.

Ansari, Linda and Teck Lee

The Batu Sapi electorate is made up of 59 percent or 15,099 Muslim bumiputra, 38 percent or 9,737 Chinese, 2.69 percent or 689 non-Muslim bumiputra and 0.22 percent or 57 others.

Galas is also a mixed seat. According to the 2008 list, there are 10,330 voters in the constituency, with 65.4 percent Malays, 22.3 percent Chinese, 10.5 percent Orang Asli and 1.8 percent Indian.

So far, all three main candidates - Ansari, Teck Lee and Linda - have filed their nominations. In Galas, both Dr Zulkefli and Umno's Abdul Aziz have also submitted their forms.

Nominations begin at 9am and will close at 10am. A hour-period is set aseide for those who wish to lodge their objections, followed by another hour for the returning officers to vet through if necessary.

Shortly past 11am, the returning officers confirmed a straight fight between PAS's Dr Zulkefli and Umno's Abdul Aziz at Galas, and a three-cornered-fight between Linda, Teck Lee and Ansari at Batu Sapi.

26/10/10