KUCHING, Oct 31: According to the latest electoral roll, Stampin voters have increased to 121,009, making it the second-largest constituency in Sarawak in terms of voter population.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said this was due to the auto-registering of those above the age of 18, which caused the number of voters to rise drastically.
He said the sudden increase would bring challenges in campaigning, but DAP Sarawak is ready to give its best.
“We must make the voters realise that this election is the watershed battle to decide whether Sarawak and Malaysia will experience a new future or to be retained in old politics — whether it is going to be a clean or a corrupted government; whether it will be a government of good policies or that of an authoritative government, whether it will be a government of openness or one of extreme racism, or whether it will be one heading to a better future or one that is caught up in a time wasp,” said Chong.
Under the accompaniment of Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, Chong went to Election Commission (EC) Sarawak to put down his deposit for his Stampin candidacy for the 15th General Election (GE15).
On Sarawak’s autonomy, he reiterated that all eight candidates in Sarawak were decided by the Sarawak DAP committee because it has the autonomy to do so.
“Apart from deciding its own candidates, DAP Sarawak also decides which logo to use. This is different from SUPP (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party), which cannot even make its own decision, and has to listen to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“While SUPP does not even have autonomy within the coalition, on what ground can SUPP or Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian talk about Sarawak’s autonomy?” Chong asked.
The candidates of DAP Sarawak are Chong Chieng Jen for Stampin, Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching), Mordi Bimol (Mas Gading), Alice Lau (Lanang), Oscar Ling (Sibu), Roderick Wong (Sarikei), Tony Chiew (Bintulu), and Larry Jabul (Serian). — DayakDaily
