Ean Yong: It is not a safe seat. There is a lot of work to be done.
THE Seri Kembangan state seat, under the Puchong parliamentary constituency, in Selangor has been a DAP stronghold since 2008.
In 2008, 2013 and 2018, the incumbent Ean Yong Hian Wah of Pakatan Harapan faced a Barisan Nasional opponent but this year, he will contest against a new challenger from Perikatan Nasional since Barisan is now part of the unity government.
Sources told StarMetro that Edwin Chen Win Keong, a 46-year-old businessman who is an associate member of Bersatu, will be fielded in the Chinese-majority constituency.
When contacted, Chen confirmed that he would be contesting in Seri Kembangan.
“Yes, I have been placed in Seri Kembangan. It is just like Bukit Bintang, a Chinese-majority area and a tough seat. But I am going to do my best.”
Chen: Among the issues in Seri Kembangan is traffic congestion.
He said he had already gone on the ground.
“I have spoken to the community there and the few issues that keep cropping up are the never-ending traffic jams and the old market relocation,” he said.
Chen was previously fielded by Perikatan to contest the Bukit Bintang parliamenary constituency in the 15th General Election, which was won by Pakatan’s Fong Kui Lun from DAP.
When contacted, Ean Yong described the situation as “interesting”.
“Some may say that Seri Kembangan is a safe seat but I don’t agree.
“There is a lot of work to be done and I am still working to resolve many issues.
“What makes it interesting is that this time, my previous opponent is now a partner and we are facing a new opponent.”
Seri Kembangan is located in the middle of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur.
The country’s biggest Chinese new village with over 2,000 houses is situated there.
In the 2018 General Election, Ean Yong won with a total of 34,659 votes against Chang Toong Woh of Barisan-MCA (3,514).
Seri Kembangan was formerly under the Serdang parliamentary constituency which had since been absorbed into what was known as Bangi parliamentary constituency in the 15th GE.
After the redelineation exercise in 2018, Seri Kembangan was incorporated into the Puchong constituency.
Based on Election Commission records, in 2018 Seri Kembangan had some 41,000 registered voters. But the population is believed to be around 100,000.
The Aug 12 elections will be held simultaneously across six states, including Selangor.
Nomination is on July 29 while early voting will take place on Aug 8.
