By William Isau
SIBU, Dec 6: N52 Dudong returning officer Abdul Razak Awang Bini was made to work harder as he needed time to thoroughly vet through the nomination forms from eight candidates vying to win this constituency, the most crowded field among the 82 seats being contested in the 12th Sarawak Election.
This election is the also first time ever for seven of the eight candidates will be standing for election.
The last State election in 2016 saw only five candidates, with Barisan Nasional-friendly candidate Datuk Tiong Thai King winning the seat.
The 20-odd reporters from the print and electronic media were no less busy either. Whenever a candidate arrived at the nomination centre at Sibu Rural District Council Library, members of the media were scrambling to get the best angle to take photos.
After the one-hour objection period was over, Abdul Razak took the microphone at 11.15am to announce the successful candidates.
“I have gone through their nomination form and after going through them, I am satisfied and wish to announce the names of the eight candidates,” he said.
They included veteran politician Dato Sri Tiong King Sing (Gabungan Parti Sarawak), Paul Ling (Democratic Action Party), Engga Unchat (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), Fadhil Mohd Isa (independent), Julius Enchana (Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru), and Josephine Lau (Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party), Wong Hie Ping (Parti Sarawak Bersatu), and Jane Lau (Parti Bumi Kenyalang)
Early voting for the constituency, according to Abdul Razak, is on Dec 14 while polling on Dec 18.
Dudong constituency has a total of 34,955 voters with two of them overseas voters.
Fadhil was not the least intimidated that the seat is the most sought after in this election.
Speaking in a loud voice to reporters, he said his plan is to bring development to the area.
“Despite the State being bestowed with rich natural resources, the people in Dudong are still poor. Most areas here do not have Internet connectivity and there are also places without treated water and electricity supply. I hope to change all these if I win,” he said.
Fadhil said he would be fully using social media for his campaign.
“I will run my campaign 100 per cent through social media such as YouTube and Facebook during this pandemic. I also want to show that social media is an effective communication medium to reach to the people,” he added.
On his chances of winning the seat, he claimed that he is well-known to the voters as he has been on the ground since 2018.
Likewise, PSB’s Wong, was also not perturbed with the large number of candidates eyeing the seat.
“I will do my best to grab the seat.
If elected I will be fair to all voters in the constituency from the different races and religions,” said Wong, a businesswoman and a former councillor of Sibu Municipal Council. — DayakDaily
Earlier version
SIBU, Dec 6: It has been confirmed that it will be an eight-cornered fight in Dudong.
The eight candidates who are filing in their nomination forms at Sibu Rural District Council Library to contest in Dudong seat are Dato Sri Tiong King Sing from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Paul Ling from Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Other challengers include Engga Unchat from Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), Josephine Lau from Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi), Wong Hie Ping from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Jane Lau from Parti Bumi Kenyalang.
Julius Enchana is from Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS Baru) and finally, Fadhil Mohd Isa is the only independent.
— DayakDaily
