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Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President, Datuk VK Liew said Umno Kalabakan Division Head Datuk Ghapur Salleh can "keep dreaming" about taking back the Merotai constituency from LDP.
Liew made the remark in response to a resolution made by Ghapur's division on Wednesday that Umno should contest Merotai in the coming elections. Ghapur forwarded the request to Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Sabah BN Chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman. "Recently Ghapur said Umno wants to claim back Merotai seat, well I can tell him (Ghapur) to keep on dreaming because that (Merotai) is an LDP seat and the Assemblyman, Datuk Liew Yun Fah, has done extremely well in Merotai. And it is on record for everybody to see," he said at the Chinese New Year Open House hosted by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) at KK High School in Kepayan Ridge, Friday. MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting who is also Housing and Local Government Minister graced the occassion together with Musa, several Cabinet Ministers and MCA Sabah Chief, Datuk Edward Khoo, among others. According to Liew, LDP is confident that it will be given the mandate to contest its three existing State constituencies, namely, Tanjung Kapur in Kudat, Karamunting in Sandakan and Merotai, Tawau plus one parliamentary seat (Sandakan), which the party lost to an independent candidate previously. In TAWAU, banner which reads "We, the Umno members of Kalabakan, want the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman to give back the Merotai seat to Umno" was displayed at the Sri Tanjung Market in Tawau during the Chinese New Year (CNY) festive season. The same banner was also spotted near the Tawau Airport at Jalan Apas, where predictions were made that it was meant for Musa for his arrival on Sunday. However, a random survey in Merotai revealed that incumbent Assemblyman Datuk Liew Yun Fah was still popular among the community and that the people were confident he would be retained for a second term. They felt Liew had done quite well despite holding the seat for only four years since 2004, in improving social-economy, basic facilities and education in the area. Meanwhile, Tawau Umno Chief-cum-Apas Assemblyman, Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, reminded Umno leaders to set aside individual differences to prioritise party objectives to ensure majority win for Barisan Nasional candidates in the coming elections. "There is plenty more that needs to be done and the people need to lend their support to the existing Government," he said during the Election Briefing with the Tawau Umno District Leaders meeting, held at the Sri Ansur Hall, here. Also present was State Election Commission Director Mohd Idrus Ismail as well as Balung Assemblyman Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali. The briefing was held as preparations to avoid any technical difficulties during the election as well as to strengthen relations between the people and the leaders. Tawfiq who is also Assistant Rural Development Minister, instructed all those involved in the elections to be proactive and reminded them to keep abreast with current state and national affairs. There are rumours that Parliament would be dissolved on Feb. 13, with nominations on the 23rd and March 3 set for polling. - Daily Express
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