KUCHING – As election buzz ramps up in Sarawak, the DAP state chapter appears to play it cool as there has yet to be negotiations on candidates and seats.
Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen’s aide Michael Kong said his regular presence in Kota Sentosa is part of his duties as special assistant.
He added that every special officer attached to Chong’s office has been tasked with specific duties.
“I have been tasked to assist the chief in taking care of all matters in Kota Sentosa state constituency, which is his seat.
“This is because, for the initial part of my tenure as special assistant, Chong was occupied with his duties as the federal deputy minister [during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration].”
He said since the toppling of the PH government, he continued to perform his duties as previously tasked because there were no new instructions to do otherwise.
“Because of my regular presence in Kota Sentosa, it does not mean I will be standing as a candidate there. I don’t even know if I will be a candidate at all.”
He said that he believes in the party and will go along the lines of whatever DAP deems best for Sarawak.
In the event that he is offered a seat, he said: “I would say that the main thrust would be that the people, particularly the youths of today, deserve a more competent, transparent, and accountable government for a better tomorrow.
“We have been stuck with the current regime for the past 58 years and we only see slow progress, which has stifled the development of the state. While the people are finding it difficult to make ends meet, the political leaders are living a lavish lifestyle that many can only dream of.
“We need a government that is really sincere in wanting to enable, empower, and educate the people. We can start with basic human rights; making sure people can put a roof over their head and food on their table. We need to make sure children get a proper education so that they have a brighter future.”
Meanwhile, other parties have been convening meetings to prepare for the state election that is expected in 60 days after the assembly was dissolved on Wednesday.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak recently held a meeting in Sibu to list out its candidates for the polls, with election committee chairman Kenneth Silek Adan telling The Vibes that the party will be contesting 36 Dayak seats.
Among other opposition party leaders, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has issued a list of 55 candidates so far with more names to be revealed later as the party is gunning to contest all 82 seats.
Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party, another party purveying jingoistic nationalism like PBK, has announced it will be contesting four Chinese majority seats in Kuching and four more in the state’s central region, as well as one Chinese seat in Bintulu and Miri each.
The party is also vying for some mixed demographic seats and Dayak-majority seats, which will be announced later. – The Vibes, November 5, 2021
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