SIBU, Dec 7: An appeal has been made to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) members not to be emotional but to give their support to ensure that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will win the Dudong seat.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing who was nominated as the GPS candidate for the seat instead of SUPP Dudong chairman Wong Ching Yong, also hoped the people of Dudong will give their fullest support to him in the election.
The seat was traditionally contested by SUPP but this time, it was given to PDP.
“I hope and urge all the people in Dudong to give their full support to GPS. I appeal to SUPP members not to be emotional but to come and work together for the sake of Dudong,” he said at a press conference today.
The Bintulu MP, said winning the seat is not for him but for GPS and for the benefit of the people as development will follow after that.
He added the most important thing is to look at the people’s interest and not just their own.
“We must have an open heart to welcome all problems and solve them together,”he said.
Citing the seat of Opar which his party was also lobbying to compete in but was not given, he said his party was not feeling bad about it but instead was helping the candidate.
“The proposal for the candidate is from our party and so is the ketua gerakan who is my party’s people. We are lending our support to the candidate,” he said.
Tiong also rebutted claims that he had the upper hand over the other seven candidates vying for the seat.
“I don’t feel that I have the upper hand. What we have, other people also have. I am the same as other people although I am an MP,” he said.
Touching on whether he would give up contesting in the general election for the Bintulu seat should he win in Dudong, he was quick to say that he would make the decision when the time comes.
“If I am elected and when the time comes, I will tell you. But the most important thing is for us to win Dudong and later set up the service centre,” he said.
Tiong also clarified that if elected, his duty and responsibility as Bintulu MP and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China would not be affected as he has ample staff to assist him.
On his plans for Dudong, should he win the seat, he said his main priority is to look into the flooding issue including upgrading infrastructure and telecommunication facilities.
“Each time it rains, there will be flooding in the area. I have discussed it with the CM and the DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage) will be studying the matter before coming up with a short and long-term solution,” he said. — DayakDaily
