KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) big victory in the Tanjung Piai by-election is a wake-up call to Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Sabah PKR Chief Datuk Christina Liew pointed out that the constituents have spoken through their votes.

Liew when contacted for a comment on the by-election results, stressed that “the people had spoken loudly. PH needs to start listening … promises must be fulfilled.”

“The honeymoon is over (and) it’s time to work. Stop focusing on religious and racial issues, instead focus on fulfilling promises from the manifesto,” she said.

Liew however pointed out that she viewed the results as protest votes, adding, “in any case we respect the results.”

The results of the Tanjung Piai by-election saw BN candidate Dr Wee Jeck Seng winning the parliamentary seat with a 15,086-vote majority.

The former two-term Tanjung Piai Member of Parliament garnered a total of 25,466 votes against PH candidate Karmaine Sardini who obtained 10,380 votes; Gerakan’s Wendy Subramaniam (1,707), followed by Datuk Dr Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz of Berjasa (850) and two Independents, Dr Ang Chuan Lock (380) and Faridah Aryani Abdul Ghaffar (32).

Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chief Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the PH leadership, especially Bersatu, must study to find out the cause(s) for the defeat of its candidate.