MUKAH, March 17 — Barisan Nasional (BN) will ride on the popularity and track record of Sarawak’s longest-serving former chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to retain the Balingian state seat in the by-election, Tan Sri Adenan Satem said today.

Adenan, who is Taib’s successor, said the latter had told him that if Balingian voters still remember him and what he has done for the state, they would likely continue to support BN and its candidate.

“Before he (Taib) became the Governor, he sent a message to me to say that if the people still remember him, they will know what to do.

“If the people still remember him and what he has done to Balingian, Mukah, Kota Samarahan or even Sarawak for that matter, the people will always be grateful. Now he (Taib) cannot come down to us here, but I can assure you his spirit is here with us,” he told reporters after the nomination at Dewan Suarah Mukah here today.

Adenan added that BN’s purportedly flawless record in defending Balingian since the 1960s, especially after it had been represented by Taib, would certainly guarantee a winning chance for the party’s candidate.

During nominations earlier this morning, Yussibnosh Balo, 46, former Dalat district officer, was the first to arrive at the nomination centre and submitted his papers at 9.03am.

He was escorted by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Adenan, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and other BN ministers and component party leaders, followed by hundreds of supporters in a parade from St Peter Catholic Church after a short prayer there.

His nomination was proposed by Ardyman Matan @ Henry and seconded by Fauziah Adeni.

PKR’s candidate Abdul Jalil Bujang, 55, businessman, submitted his papers at 9.14am. His nomination was proposed by Matek Geram @ Maxi and seconded by Basri Bahari.

No other nominations were taken apart from the due and at 10am, a straight fight between Yussibnosh and Abdul Jalil was announced.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, said although it would be a straight fight, Yussibnosh and his election machinery should go all out during the campaign period.

“Although we have a winning chance we must not take it for granted. We must reach out and go down to the ground to meet the voters.

“We must help them solve their problems and fulfil their aspirations the best we can,” he said.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told a separate press conference that everything went smoothly during nomination.

There will be 21 polling stations and 39 streams. Polling would be on March 29. One polling station would be for early voting for 133 policemen in March 25.

“We expect less than 80 per cent voters turnout. The last state election recorded about 75 per cent turnout,” Abdul Aziz added.

Balingian’s 13,366 voters consist of 7,705 (57.65%) Melanaus and Malays, 3,875 (28.99%) Ibans, 1,683 (12.59) Chinese, 19 (0.14%) Bidayuh, 29 (0.22%) Orang Ulu and 55 (0.41%) others.