GE15: local heavyweights to slug it out in Sarawak’s urban seats

MIRI – Urban seats in Sarawak will see fierce battles in the coming general election with prominent local names facing off.

Following the closing of the filing of nominations today, the Stampin parliamentary constituency will see incumbent MP Chong Chieng Jen, the Sarawak DAP chairman, face Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Lo Khere Chiang, a popular local council chairman from the Sarawak United People’s Party’s (SUPP) Padawan branch.

Stampin, which is part of state capital Kuching, will also see Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) new candidate Lue Cheng Hing join the fray, although the main fight is expected to be between Chong and Lo, as the incumbent tries for his fourth term representing the seat.

In Sibu, incumbent MP and Sarawak DAP elections director Oscar Ling is up against GPS-SUPP candidate Clarence Ting and PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

All three are well-known Sibu local boys and political veterans.

In Miri, local senior lawyer and former Miri mayor Datuk Lawrence Lai is taking on GPS-SUPP councillor Jeffery Phang and PKR newbie Chiew Choon Man.

Lai and Phang are well known to the people of Miri.

In Bintulu, a David-and-Goliath fight is expected between Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and DAP’s Tony Chiew. Tiong is going for his fifth term as MP while Chiew is making his electoral debut.

In Lawas, incumbent GPS local strongman Datuk Henry Sum Agong faces prominent native rights’ lawyer and PSB candidate Baru Bian, as well as PKR’s Japar Suyut.

Bian is state assemblyman for Ba’kelalan and former Sarawak PKR chairman, as well as a former works minister and ex-MP for Selangau.

Sum is a three-term MP going for his fourth term and both he and Bian are well known locals.

Some excitement may also be seen in Baram where local strongman Datuk Anyi Ngau of GPS is facing Sarawak PKR chief Roland Engan and independent Wilfred Entika.

Ngau beat Engan in the previous national polls by a majority of about 200 votes, making Baram a hot seat.

In Julau, Parti Bangsa Malaysia president Datuk Larry Sng is facing former federal minister from GPS, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak candidate Susan George, and independent candidate Elly Lawai Ngalai.

The fight there will mainly be between Sng and Gandum. Both of them are well known to the local electorate and this will be their second consecutive clash over a parliamentary seat. – The Vibes, November 5, 2022