KUCHING – Sarawak DAP has named 18 of its 26 candidates who will be contesting in the state election on December 18, and 12 of the hopefuls are newbies.
State party chief Chong Chieng Jen told a press conference at the party headquarters here today that the rest of the candidates will be announced at a later date, saying it is for strategic reasons.
When asked if he would be leaving his safe seat of Kota Sentosa to challenge Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian for Batu Kawah, he said it is a possibility.
It has been highly speculated that Chong will leave his Kota Sentosa seat to his special officer Michael Kong and take on Dr Sim, the Batu Kawah incumbent.
“We want to first see how Gabungan Parti Sarawak and SUPP place their candidates around the Kuching Chinese-majority urban constituencies.
“We can always reshuffle our candidates before nomination day,” he added.
The Chinese-majority seats in the urban area of Kuching are Padungan, Batu Lintang, Pending, Batu Kawah, and Stakan. Historically, these seats are contested by SUPP.
The candidates announced today are Granda Aing (Tasik Biru), Chang Hon Hiung (Mambong), Larry Jabul (Kedup), Brolin Nicholsion Benedict Achung (Bukit Semuja), Phillip Wong (Repok), Solomon Kumbong (Pelagus), Joseph Jinggut (Bukit Goram), Kenneth Lagong (Baleh), Tony Chiew (Tg Batu), Tonny Ung (Samalaju), Peter Hee (Piasau), and Marcus Hugo (Senadin).
Meanwhile, Chong said DAP is still discussing with Parti Sarawak Baru on which party should contest in Dudong and Bawang Assan – which are in the Sibu area.
“The previous negotiations over these two seats have not been successful.”
He said the party is willing to compromise, and is looking forward to a new conclusion. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021
