The demise of Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, a member of Parliament for P.212 Sibu, on 9 April, has paved way for another by-election in a series of by-elections since the conclusion of the 12th General Election in April 2008. Teropong Dunya would like to convey its heartfelt condolence to the family of the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew.
It has been announced by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) candidate would be from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), one of its coalition partners. I believe the likely candidate of the PR would be the incumbent Bukit Assek's State Assemblyman, YB Richard Wong Ho Leng. SUPP president has announced that its candidate would be Robert Lau Hui Yew, a lawyer by profession. For simplicity, I would call this gentleman, Robert Lau junior.
The late Datuk Robert Lau had won the Sibu Parliamentary by a majority of 3235 defeating Wong Ho Leng and another candidate. If previously the battle was more of a battle between the two personalities, this time around I strongly feel that what voters in Sibu and observers everywhere in Sarawak would be witnessing is a battle between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. But I should not be quoted as saying the personality of the candidates are of little significance. I am just saying that this time around it would be a real battle of politics.
My Heng Hua friend from Sibu wrote me an sms two weeks before the demise of the late Datuk Robert Lau in these words "Datuk Robert Lau is dying and we are going to lose a son of God". I replied, "nobody deserves that exaltation except Jesus". He replied back, saying, "Datuk Robert Lau has done so much for Sibu and the people revered him just like he is God-sent".
Such was peoples' reverence for the late Datuk Robert Lau. Wong Ho Leng also has his fair share in serving the people of Sibu, which was also to the admiration of many. But the late Datuk Robert Lau had the edge as the voters in Sibu believe that the late Datuk Robert Lau being on the corridor of power would be in a better position to fulfill the needs of the people. His relatively small winning margin was a manifestation of the popularity of both candidates.
Would Robert Lau junior be given the same reverence and support by the voters of P.212 Sibu in this forthcoming by-election? All is yet to be seen. Robert Lau junior comes from a well-known family and also related to the late Datuk Robert Lau. Somehow way back in 1991 I have had a short stint of working under the same roof with this Robert Lau junior. He is a person of very fine quality, very learned and hardworking.
But as I have mentioned earlier, I am of the humble view that this by-election would be a battle of the politics thus rendering personality of the candidates less significant. It's a decision whether to choose the Barisan Nsional or the Pakatan Rakyat. Since the conclusion of the 12th General Election, there have been great changes in the mindset of many people and that likely include the voters of Sibu too.
But are those changes of mindset sufficient to offset the advantageous position of the BN?
Speaking from observations, simple analysis and a matter of the sixth sense, I believe the Barisan Nasional will still retain the seat but with a much reduced majority.
Be that as it may I wish both sides good luck.
