Shock defeat for Barisan in by Election in sibu.-Slim DAP win in Sibu by-election

In a nail-biting race, Democratic Action Party (DAP) man Wong Ho Leng, 50, edged out BN's candidate from the Sarawak United Peoples' Party, Mr Lau Hui Yew, 45, by just 398 votes in the parliamentary seat of Sibu.

BARISAN Nasional (BN) was handed a shock defeat in a by-election in Sarawak yesterday, dealing a blow to the ruling coalition ahead of crucial state elections here.

In a nail-biting race, Democratic Action Party (DAP) man Wong Ho Leng, 50, edged out BN's candidate from the Sarawak United Peoples' Party, Mr Lau Hui Yew, 45, by just 398 votes in the parliamentary seat of Sibu.

He polled 18,845 votes to Mr Lau's 18,447.

Sibu vote shows difficulties for BN, Pakatan

Despite the win in Sibu, Pakatan Rakyat still faces a tough road ahead



DAP’s Sibu win does not mean Pakatan Rakyat can soon win Putrajaya or Petrajaya, but it also shows that Barisan Nasional’s use of the chequebook will no longer impress disgruntled voters.

Wong Ho Leng’s slim 398 vote majority win revealed DAP’s smart use of issues and disenchantment among the Chinese and Christians, which the Najib administration could not solve simply with grants and promises of better times if the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate gets elected.

Sibu by-election: BN must woo Sibu Chinese folk

A difficult task lies ahead for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming Sibu parliamentary by-election as they'll have to go all out to win the hearts of local Chinese folks.

Based on the recently concluded Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election, political analysts predict a huge bulk of the Chinese voters — who make up about two-thirds of the electorate in Sibu — could vote against BN.

So, BN candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew will have to work hard to woo them, said Prof Mohd Agus Yussof of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) — who foresees it won't be smoothsailing for the BN in Sibu.

“I expect a tough fight in Sibu. It’s not going to be easy for the BN because the Chinese are likely to show support for the Opposition, just like in Hulu Selangor.”

For Sibu villagers, Lau’s local council post is his strength

Lau (left) greets residents during his walkabout in Kampung Nangka May 8, 2010

Robert Lau Hui Yew made his first official walkabout today as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sibu by-election and was greeted by villagers eager to have their problems solved by the local government.

Lau has served as a member of the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) since 2004, and some villagers met at the Kampung Nangka near here have fond memories of his second cousin, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, whose death last month paved the way for the by-election.

Orang Asli expected to play major role in Sibu by-election

The Orang Asli or native voters are expected to play a major role in this weekend's by-election in the East Malaysian constituency of Sibu, Sarawak.

Many see the polls as a litmus test for the next state-wide election.

Located on the island of Borneo, Sibu in Sarawak is a semi-urban constituency.

Over 30 per cent of its 54,000 registered voters are native Ibans and the Melanau.

They are traditionally strong supporters of the Barisan Nasional (BN) state government led by Sarawak's longest serving Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is an ethnic Melanau.

Sibu bellwether for Sarawak polls

As battle lines are drawn for the Sibu parliamentary by-election on May 16, it goes without saying that this will certainly be a closely-watched event.

Sarawak DAP chairman Richard Wong Ho Leng’s fight with newcomer and greenhorn Robert Lau Hui Yew of SUPP for the seat will not just generate great interest among the public, but that of political pundits and operatives, as well.

Winning the Sibu seat means a lot for both sides of the political divide as they gear up for the state election which is expected to be called before July, next year.

The result of the by-election also has a significant bearing at national-level. A DAP victory will mean SUPP is going to suffer in the coming state election as what they had experienced in the 2006 state election.

Result may show what's to come in state polls-Sibu By Election

BOTH the Barisan Nasional and the Opposition are going all-out to secure a win in the Sibu parliamentary by-election because the result may indicate what is to come in next state election.

Sarawak must hold the state election by June next year.

Sibu has 54,695 voters, of whom 66.7% or 36,398 are Chinese, 22.1% or 12,050 Ibans and other indigenous people, 10.5% or 5,740 Malays/Melanaus and 0.1% or 54 Indians.

According to an analysis in Oriental Daily News today, Barisan Nasional candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew, of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), should be able to defend the seat for BN if he is able to garner 30% of the Chinese votes.

Wong not campaigning until May 8

Getting ready: Sibu DAP publicity secretary Jason Ting arranging campaign materials at the Sibu office last wee

Don’t expect to see DAP’s candidate for the Sibu by-election Wong Ho Leng on walkabouts or any real campaigns until nomination day on Saturday.

The Sarawak DAP chairman, who is also Bukit Assek assemblyman, is not worried that his opponent from Barisan Nasional, Robert Lau Hui Yew, has got a head start on him.

Wong, a seasoned politician, said he was not making his rounds yet in adherence to the election rules.