Ex Lawmaker’s Daughter For Sandakan By-Poll; Support Needed For MA63

Vivian Wong receives her letter naming her as the DAP candidate for Sandakan from DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng as Shafie Apdal, centre, looks on. Others in the photo are Liew Vui Keong, Chan Foong Hin, Christina Liew, Frankie Poon and Madius Tangau.

SANDAKAN: Vivian Wong Shir Yee, the daughter of the late Sandakan Member of Parliament Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, has been named as the DAP candidate for the Sandakan by-election.

The announcement was made by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the “Townhall with the People” programme here today.

Wong, 30, said she would continue with her father’s struggle to develop Sandakan’s economy.

“Like my late father, I will always go to the ground to understand the people’s problems regardless of race.

“I am confident that with the cooperation of the new government, Sandakan can be developed comprehensively, and I will make Sandakan a dynamic area,” she said after the announcement on her candidacy.

Wirawati leaders congratulate Vivian on her being named candidate for the by-election.

Wong, who has a degree in public relations from Murdoch University in Australia, has been involved in politics through DAP since 2012 and is active in social activities.

The youngest of four siblings was born and raised in Sandakan, and studied at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sung Siew here.

She served as special officer to her father when he was the state health and people’s well-being minister.

The Sandakan seat fell vacant after Stephen Wong died on March 28, believed due to a heart attack.

Nomination day for the by-election is April 27 and polling is on May 11. Early voting will be held on May 7.


SUPPORT PH FOR RESTORATION OF MA63 STATUS, SABAH PEOPLE TOLD

SANDAKAN: Support from the people of Sabah for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is important to ensure that the state’s original status as one of three entities (together with Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia) in the formation of Malaysia can be restored in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng Thursday said the government had proven its seriousness in fulfilling its promises to the people, by tabling a bill to amend Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution at the recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, but its effort was thwarted by the opposition, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

“That is why we (government) ask the people not to support the opposition who have rejected efforts to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters after a “Townhall with the People” programme here.

Lim, who is the finance minister, also commented on Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that two of the 49 development projects in Sandakan announced by the PH government had been approved when Barisan Nasional was the government, saying it shows the opposition lacks political capital.

“What is important now is that the PH government wants to focus on implementing development projects as soon as possible,” he said.