Sunday August 19, 2012

Clash of new faces likely in Stampin

KUCHING: If Datuk Yong Khoon Seng sticks to his decision not to seek re-election, the electoral battle in Stampin in the coming parliamentary elections is set to see a clash of new faces.

SUPP has short-listed two names, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and lawyer Wilfred Yap.

Both Lo and Yap have not contested in any election before.

Lo is currently Kota Sentosa SUPP secretary while Yap is SUPP Youth secretary-general.

Despite several calls from SUPP leaders for Yong to defend the Stampin seat, the 71-year-old Deputy Works Minister was adamant not to seek re-election.

The five-term representative said he was serious about retiring from politics and would not change his mind.

Yong’s decision is good news to Pakatan Rakyat, which may be represented by either DAP or PKR.

PKR is likely to get Stampin and speculations are rife that the party will be fielding a woman candidate in Voon Siak Ni.

Voon is national PKR vice- chief and Stampin PKR women chief.

Asked about her candidacy, Voon said she was leaving it to the party leadership to decide.

“Anyway, Pakatan is all ready to face Barisan in Stampin,” she said.

In the last parliamentary elections, Yong retained the seat after beating Voon Lee Shan from DAP and PKR candidate See Chee How in a three-cornered fight.

He won with a 3,070-vote majority after collecting 21,966 votes against 18,896 polled by Voon and See (2,198).

News

Sunday August 19, 2012

Clash of new faces likely in Stampin