By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 5: It will be a three-way duel in P196 Stampin as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS-SUPP) candidate Lo Khere Chiang looks to unseat Democratic Action Party (DAP) heavyweight and incumbent Chong Chieng Jen, with Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) Lue Cheng Hing throwing his hat in the ring.
Election Commission (EC) returning officer Henry Jalin Watt, who made the announcement at Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Headquarters here today, said all nomination papers have been certified and were accepted by the commission.
Unlike last year’s State election which was carried out under strict restrictions due to Covid-19, this time the Mile 10 commercial centre where the nomination centre is located turned into a festive yet combative zone as candidates, their proposers and seconders as well as a large crowd of supporters from both GPS and DAP camps gathered to cheer on their candidates.
Lue, who is from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) which is using PSB’s logo to contest in GE15, was the first to enter the centre with proposer Raymond Thong and seconder Wong Tun Teck. The software engineer is trying his luck again after a stint during the last State election in Kota Sentosa.
MPP chairman Lo was the second to enter the centre with proposer Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and seconder Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
Lo is no stranger to the area as he is the second term assemblyman for Batu Kitang, one of the State constituencies under Stampin.
Lo’s reputation as a gentlemanly yet fearless candidate, coupled with GPS’ stunning performance in the last State election, is ready to not only put up a tough challenge but is seeking to unseat its rival DAP and turn the tide around for GPS in his parliamentary election debut.
Chong, who came with proposer Hiu Kuan Fah and seconder Tan Kay Chee, cannot be taken lightly as he has a long history in politics.
He had been a Member of Parliament (MP) of Bandar Kuching for 14 years since 2004 before moving to Stampin.
He was also a three-term Kota Sentosa assemblyman before switching to Padungan in the last State election.
In the 2018 general election, Chong defended Stampin for DAP after taking over from comrade Julian Tan Kok Ping with a 14,221 majority.
He garnered 33,060 votes to beat Dato Sri Sim Kui Hian who contested under the then Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket with 18,839 votes.
The EC has set Nov 19 for polling and early voting on Nov 15. The campaign period will last for 14 days, starting from today (Nov 5) until midnight of Nov 18. — DayakDaily
