Barisan Nasional (BN) component, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is optimistic of winning the seats vacated by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) which left the coalition about four years ago, provided it was given the confidence by the top leadership to contest them in the coming general election.   

"We are confident of the people's support for us," said LDP president Liew Vui Keong at the party's congress in Sandakan today, which was opened by Prime Minister Najib Razak.     

Prior to leaving the BN on Sept 17, 2008, SAPP held two parliamentary seats, Sepanggar and Tawau, and two state seats, Likas and Luyang.     

Two other SAPP-held state seats, Elopura and Tanjung Papat, remained in the BN when their respective representatives, Au Kam Wah and Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, jumped ship and joined Gerakan.    

Liew said LDP won all the constituencies it was given, namely Sandakan parliamentary seat which he presently held, and state seats, Karamunting (before its representative, Peter Pang En Yin, left LDP to join Gerakan), Tanjung Kapor and Merotai.     

"We are very fortunate that the Sandakan parliamentary constituency is neighbouring Chief Minister Musa Aman's Sibuga state assembly constituency, as he is not only leader for Sandakan but also for the whole state," he said.     

-  Bernama