By William Isau
SIBU, Dec 19: Michael Tiang and Joseph Chieng, newly elected assemblymen for Pelawan and Bukit Assek, respectively, this morning went round to thank voters for their support at the just-concluded 12th Sarawak Election.
Their first stop was at Jalan Tiong Hua Market, followed by Sungai Merah market. Tonight they will be at the night market.
An elated Tiang said they needed to stay humble after their win and fulfil their election promises.
“Of course, we are very happy for SUPP (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party) that we have contested in 18 seats and won 13 seats. But we are also disappointed that our five comrades failed to regain the seat. So this is a strong message to both of us that we really have to be humble and commit to our campaign promises and manifestos,” he said.
Tiang said both of them will sit down with Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee soon to discuss plans for Sibu.
“We need to plan for the future of the town because Sibu voters have given GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) a very strong mandate, and we will work together so that all our plans will be carried out within the next five years,” he said.
Tiang won by a razor-thin majority of 100 votes in a five-cornered fight for the seat in the election.
Tiang collected 4,413 votes while the two-term incumbent, David Wong Kee Woan from Democratic Action Party (DAP) polled 4,313 votes, Dr Low Chong Nguan from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) garnered 3,757 votes, Jamie Tiew from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) with 3,146 votes, and Janet Loh from Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) with only 302 votes. Loh had also lost her deposit.
Over to Chieng, his victory was a sweet one as it was his first election.
Chieng dethroned incumbent Irene Chang from DAP by winning with a majority of 874 votes in a six-cornered contest.
Chieng amassed a total of 4,684 votes, Chang wth 3,810 votes, Priscilla Lau (PBK) with 2,598 votes, Ting Kee Nguan (PSB) with 1,790 votes, Hii Tiong Huat (Ind) with 313 votes, and Jess Lau (Aspirasi) with 209 votes. ― DayakDaily
