By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 6: The oldest candidate and youngest candidate are separated by nearly two generations, or by more than half a century in age in the 12th Sarawak Elections.
The oldest candidate is 79-year-old Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) who is defending the N53 Bawang Assan seat; while the youngest candidates are 24-year-old Cherishe Ng Phuay Hui of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) who is vying for the N11 Batu Lintang seat and Olivia Lim Wen Sia of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) in the N55 Nangka seat.
Another point to note is that candidates over the age of 60 accounted for the largest proportion or 141 out of a total of 349 candidates representing various parties contesting in 82 seats during this election.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh, in a media conference today, also revealed that candidates aged between 50 and 59-years-old made up the second largest group with 113 candidates, followed by 50 candidates aged between 40 and 49-years-old and 37 candidates between 30 and 39-years-old.
There are only eight young candidates aged between 21 and 29-years-old.
Abdul Ghani said of the total, 304 are male candidates, and 45 others are female.
Meanwhile, the Bawang Assan seat is set to see a five-cornered fight with incumbent Wong facing contenders from Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (GPS-SUPP) Robert Lau, PBK’s Michelle Ling Shyan Mon, Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s Amy Lau Bik Yieng and independent Ricky Enteri.
Batu Lintang constituency will also see a five-cornered fight in which PKR’s Ng will go up against incumbent See Chee How of PSB, GPS-SUPP’ Sih Hua Tong, Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi)’s Leong Shaow Tung and PBK’s Voon Lee Shan.
As for Nangka seat, the stage is set for a three-cornered battle where incumbent Dr Annuar Rapaee will defend the seat against PBK’s Lim and PSB’s Intanurazean Wan Sapuan Daud.
The EC has set Dec 18 for polling and early voting on Dec 14. Campaigning will stretch for 12 days, from today (Dec 6) to Dec 17. — DayakDaily
