KOTA KINABALU – Warisan is fielding young Chinese faces in three Pakatan-held parliamentary seats in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau.
Amanda Yeo, 29, a research analyst, will contest in DAP’s stronghold of Kota Kinabalu where she will possibly face incumbent MP Chan Foong Hin and a candidate from the state’s ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah or MCA.
Alex Thien, 31, an engineer with a master of science in renewable energy from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, will contest in Sandakan, also a DAP stronghold.
His father is a former Parti Bersatu Sabah vice-president and former Sg Sibuga assemblyman Datuk Thien Fui Yun. Alex could face DAP’s incumbent MP Vivian Wong, and a candidate from either the Sabah Progressive Party or MCA.
Warisan’s Chen Ket Chiun, 28, will face an uphill battle in Tawau – a seat which is now 60.71% Muslim Bumiputera according to 2018 data.
Chen’s candidacy has put to rest speculation that senior lawyer Datuk Kong Hong Ming will contest in Tawau under the Warisan ticket.
Tawau was won in the previous general election by PKR’s Datuk Christina Liew, who is expected to defend her seat.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal announced the party’s candidates for the seats during the Reset Sabah dinner programme here.
He told the attendees that Warisan has chosen them to encourage young leaders in the party.
All three are first-time candidates, and possibly the youngest in their respective seats.
DAP is expected to announce its candidates in Sandakan and Batu Sapi tomorrow, while PKR will unveil its Sabah candidates on Tuesday. – The Vibes, October 30, 2022
