Sabah BN today announced Linda Tsen Thau Lin, the widow of the late Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chong Ket Wah, as their candidate for the parliamentary constituency's Nov 4 by-election.

Musa aman and Linda tsen and Pairin kitingan batu sapi Sabah BN chief and Chief Minister Musa Aman said the state BN committee had unanimously agreed to put her up for the contest, despite an apparent protest by a group, believed to be PBS’ bumiputera members, earlier today demanding for a bumiputera candidate.

"We are confident that our candidate is not only capable, but will also continue the good service rendered (by Chong) in the area," he said when announcing Tsen's candidacy at the Sanbay Hotel in Sandakan.

Linda Tsen batu sapi candidate group photo Tsen, 54, is no stranger to politics, being a vice-president and executive council member of PBS Wanita’s central leadership.

She is also the deputy chief of the PBS Elopura division Wanita wing.

Not many details however were given on the BN candidate, who is a professional pianist.

At a press conference after the announcement, Tsen gave very little away about herself, completely avoiding a question on how she felt about agreeing to contest the seat just 15 days after her husband's death from a motoring  accident just prior to the current parliamentary sitting.

“I am very honoured to be chosen as the candidate. I know it will be tough and we will have to work hard... this is an opportunity for me to continue the legacy of good work of my late husband,” was Tsen's reply.

PBS supporters not satisfied?

Earlier before Musa's arrival, a group people believed to be PBS bumiputera grassroots members, were seen protesting in the parking lot.

A few placards were held up by the roughly 50-strong group, who demanded that a bumiputera candidate be chosen to contest the bumiputera-majority seat.

Later when Tsen’s candidacy was announced, the grassroots supporters who had packed the small functions room where the event was held almost immediately started milling out, ignoring Musa who was still finishing his speech.

When asked about the incident, Mus brushed it aside as a “small matter”. Attempts to ask more questions were cut short by PBS vice-president Dr Yee Moh Chai, who stepped in to stop the press conference at that juncture.

azlan The by-election is being called after the incumbent Chong died in a road accident just prior to the current parliamentary sitting.

Chong won the seat in the 2008 general election with a 3,708-majority, defeating independent candidate Chung Ong Wing.

Chong polled 9,479 votes as against Chung's 5,771.

Batu Sapi has 25,582 voters, of whom 24,047 are ordinary voters and 1,535 postal voters, with 15,099 or 59.02 percent of the voters being Muslim bumiputeras, 689 non-Muslim bumiputeras (2.69 percent), 9,737 Chinese (38.06 percent) and others, 57 (0.22 percent).